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Editor: Renee Preston
Profession: Attorney at Law

Category: Suicide Side Effects

Since a Congressional hearing in December 2000 was held to address adverse side effects associated with the popular acne medication Accutane the drug has been increasingly under the microscope. The FDA continues to assess reports of suicide, clinical depression or suicide attempts that have been associated with the use of Accutane.

A number of Accutane lawsuits have been filed. Many families of suicide victims who used Accutane, including Michigan Congressman Bart Stupak who lost his son to suicide, have asked for more research into the drug's effect on the brain.

Symptoms of depression may include sad or anxious mood, irritability, acting on dangerous impulses, anger, loss of pleasure or interest in social or sports activities, sleeping too much or too little, changes in weight or appetite, school or work performance going down, or trouble concentrating.

Accutane is still widely used to treat severe acne, with the FDA estimating nearly 100,000 prescriptions per month.