Is Isotretinoin Associated with Risk for Suicide?

Early anecdotal reports, some among people who were well known or that involved dramatic events, suggested an excess risk for suicide after initiating isotretinoin for severe acne vulgaris. This belief has persisted despite opposing evidence, with some studies showing lower risk for depression with isotretinoin use. In this meta-analysis, researchers identified 24 observational studies (with 1.6 million patients) that addressed risk for suicide-related outcomes and other psychiatric disorders with isotretinoin.

Risk for any suicide-related outcome (i.e., suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, completed suicide, or self-harm) was not higher with isotretinoin during as long as 10 years of treatment; analyses at years 2 to 4 showed risk for suicid…