(NaturalNews) A clear chemical link has been established between the acne drug Roaccutane and the history of depression and suicide associated with its usage, according to researchers at the University of Bath.
Writing in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine a team of scientists, lead by Dr. Sarah Bailey of the Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, reported on their discovery that the drug, also known as Accutane, reduced the availability of the neurotransmitter serotonin; low levels of which have consistently been linked to a number of psychiatric symptoms including aggression, anxiety disorders, and suicidal ideation.
"Serotonin is an important chemical that relays signals from nerve cells to other cells in the body", said Dr. Bailey, "our findings suggest that Roaccutane might disrupt the way serotonin is produced and made available to cells…this could result in problems associated with low levels of serotonin, which might include depression".
Previous research by the same scientists, and reported on by NaturalNews last year (http://www.NaturalNews.com/020463.html), suggested that the drug caused depressive behaviour in mice; but until now an underlying reason for the link has remained elusive, despite a history of tragic suicide deaths associated with its use.
In 2002, 15-year-old student pilot Charles Bishop crashed a Cessna plane into the Bank of America building in Tampa, Florida prompting a $70 million wrongful death lawsuit, filed by relatives who believed that Accutane had induced Bishop to commit suicide.
Similarly, in 2004 Jason Spiller, a teenager from Devon in the UK, was found hanging in a barn at his family home two weeks after beginning a course of acne treatment, despite having had no previous history of depression.
Since 2000, Accutane has consistently appeared in the FDA’s adverse events database as one of the top ten drugs reported as having been linked to psychological side effects. The drug remains the only non-psychiatric medication to have been in the top ten; ranking as high as 4, 5 and 10 in number of reports related to depression, serious depression and suicide respectively, according to a 2001 review published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Following these reports, Congressman Bart Stupak, whose son committed suicide using a firearm while taking Accutane, forced a 2002 House Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee hearing on safety issues related to the medication. "Accutane is a dangerous drug that causes birth defects and adverse psychiatric reactions", said Congressman Stupak at the time.
Roaccutane was first licensed by the FDA for the treatment of acne in 1982, but was plagued by reports of adverse side effects from the very beginning of its being available for prescription. 1983 saw the first reports of the drug being associated with birth defects, while by 1985 its package insert warned physicians of its possible inducement of depression.
A 1990 report from the FDA stated that around 12,000 Accutane-related abortions and more than 1000 related birth defects had occurred since the drug had gone to market eight years earlier. Other side effects associated with using the drug since then include hepatitis, rectal bleeding, osteoporosis, high cholesterol and hearing loss; in addition to more than 180 reports of suicide. According to the FDA, only 1% of suicide adverse events are reported, suggesting that the actual figure could be as high as 18,000. Likewise, the World Health Organisation database contains around 1000 reports of
attempted or committed suicide, thus worldwide adverse event figures have been estimated to be as high as 100,000.
Despite this, manufacturer Hoffman-La Roche has up until now denied any link between the use of Roaccutane and serious behavioural side effects, citing a lack of scientific proof as to how the drug could cause depression or suicide.
About the authorMichael Jolliffe is a health writer, and an expert on nutritional and environmental influences on health and disease.
He is a member of the British Association for Nutritional Therapy, International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine and the Life Extension Foundation.
To make contact, email michael@healthrevolutions.com or visit www.healthrevolutions.com.
###
Related Articles
• Experts say antidepressant drugs cause suicides instead of preventing them
• Chemically-Induced Suicide: 80 Percent of Suicide Victims Took Antidepressant Drugs
• Children and teens taking antidepressants might be more likely to attempt, complete suicide (press release)
• TeenScreen - Normal Kids Labeled Mentally Ill
• Cancer diagnosis doubles suicide rate in patients
 |
Additional Resources:
suicide
Accutane
acne
|
Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com
 Email this article to a friend
 Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us
Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/022316.html
Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.
|
 |
 |
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE
 Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
- Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
- Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
|
|
 |
 |
Recommended Special Report:
 Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta
Read this special report now...
"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com
|
More on NaturalNews.com:
• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts
|
 |
|
 |
 |
NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more. |
 |
Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more. |
Featured Videos
Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...
Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...
Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now... |
Processed Meat for Christmas
Fidozac: Antidepressant Drugs for Dogs
New Warfare
|
|
Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read. |
|
Printable Version
