2023-04-27 18:07:43
The UK drug regulatory agency published a recommendation this week on the use of the drug Roaccutane (isotretinoin) to treat acne. According to the agency, doctors should inform patients, especially teenagers, about the risks that the drug can bring to mental health.
In addition to causing extreme dryness of the skin, the drug can trigger sexual dysfunctions and neurological problems, such as anxiety, depression and even suicide attempts. According to the British agency, the benefits of the medicine against acne are still greater than the risks, but patients need to be informed and monitored to avoid problems.
The recommendation now is that two doctors prescribe the drug before it starts being used in a teenage patient. Everyone taking the medicine should be informed about the risks and tell family and friends about taking the medicine.
Patients must also undergo a mental and sexual health assessment before starting the drug, and will be monitored regularly. Roaccutane’s package insert will also be updated to include more details about the psychiatric and sexual risks of using the drug.
Roaccutane: is it worth taking medicine with so many side effects?
Since 1983, there have been 82 suicides, 62 attempts and 153 cases of suicidal thoughts related to the use of Roaccutane in the UK.
“No remedy is completely risk-free, and our conclusion is that the benefits of isotretinoin outweigh the risks for severe acne. But action is needed to ensure that patients are informed, that they are carefully monitored during treatment, and that there is greater scrutiny for prescribing to patients under 18 years of age.” .
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