Loading...
Although isotretinoin has been anecdotally linked to suicide, observational studies have had inconsistent results. In other studies, severe acne itself increased risks for distress and suicide. In this retrospective cohort study of 5756 patients prescribed isotretinoin for severe acne in Sweden, researchers examined administrative data documenting suicides and hospitalizations for suicide attempts for 3 years before and up to 18 years after treatment (1980–2001).
Isotretinoin treatment lasted a mean of 6 months. In the 21-year period, 128 patients attempted suicide and 24 died by suicide. Rates of suicide attempts rose in the year before treatment was initiated (standardized incident ratio [SIR]: any attempt, 1.57; first attempt, 1.36), incr…