Accutane and depression? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

phunktastic · 04-27-2004, 03:45 PM

So I've had pretty bad acne on my face and back pretty much from 8th grade through now (I'm almost 19). I've gone through a few rounds of different perscription medications now. They both helped some, but it would always come back.

Most recently I was on benzymacin (or something like that, it's a benzol peroxide topical gel) and tetracycline. After a few months with no improvement I stopped taking the tetracycline. It was a big pain, I couldn't eat breakfast within an hour of taking it (calcium). The benzymacin seems to help a little bit, considering when I don't use it my face gets *really* bad. I was hoping the tetracycline would help my back, but it didn't.

So anyway, I've been thinking about seeing a dermatologist and asking about getting on Accutane. From things I've read on these boards and the internet it seems like the best medicine out there. The only problem is depression.

This kinda worries me, because I've had anxiety problems earlier in life. I consider myself to have a decent ammount of knowledge about psychiatric problems (both from personal experiences and multiple classes in high school and college). I know I would recognize any symptoms and know to stop taking the drug, but it still worries me. Something one of the websites I read said was that discontinuing usage may not improve psychiatric symptoms of the drug.

Does anybody have personal experience with Accutane or the Psychological symptoms involved with it... or just some good information or websites?

noahfor · 04-27-2004, 03:54 PM

http://depressionforums.com/forum/ikonboard.cgi

They might have some information.

mofunk · 04-28-2004, 12:03 AM

The connection between Accutane treatment and depression is minimal. If there is a link, it is probably going to be hard to be very sure of because many patients taking Accutane are teenagers. Moodswings and teenagers come hand and hand.

I read a little on this, but I don't remember much, so I'll stick to my anecdotal evidence (READ: just a story)
I took Accutane. Worked amazingly well, and my only side-effect was dry lips. If you keep chapstik on hand EVERYWHERE you'll do okay. I've always been an emotional rock though, so not the best.
2 of my friends and my sister were on accutane. Although I never asked them about depression during or after treatment, I don't remember any unusual attitudes in any of them.

This is only my experience. It doesn't count for much, if anything, but it was safe and extremely effective for me and my friends.

onetime2 · 04-29-2004, 05:22 AM

FWIW, a friend's husband was the Chief Medical Officer dealing with Accutane for Roche and he has always maintained there is no link between the drug and suicide. He's since moved on to another Pharma company but still maintains that he would prescribe it if needed to any member of his family. He comes across as very believable, IMO and the evidence to the contrary is scarece or nonexistent.

pimp · 04-29-2004, 11:30 AM

Took it for a while and result were great! Same situation - no other treatments did the trick but I used Accutane for several months and bingo. I have never been depressed so I do not think it had any impact but it is somewhat harsh - dry skin and I think some people do have adverse reactions to it. Try it for a while and if it does not suite you - stop.

Nimbletoe · 04-29-2004, 08:49 PM

I'm on it right now, 2nd cycle. There's no proven medical links between accutane and depression, but people have killed themselves on it. Just be aware that there is a small chance that it could happen, and if you start feeling that way, talk to your doctor. No big deal. And nothing works better. I wish I would have known about it many years before I did, because its really effective.

Nimbletoe · 04-29-2004, 08:51 PM

By the way, i've been diagnosed with mild depression before, and was on medication for awhile. While on accutane, I felt no more or less depressed than I was before taking it. The only thing that depressed me about it was the blood tests every two weeks. I hate needles^^

04-27-2004, 03:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
phunktastic Insane Location: Dayton, Ohio	Accutane and depression? So I've had pretty bad acne on my face and back pretty much from 8th grade through now (I'm almost 19). I've gone through a few rounds of different perscription medications now. They both helped some, but it would always come back. Most recently I was on benzymacin (or something like that, it's a benzol peroxide topical gel) and tetracycline. After a few months with no improvement I stopped taking the tetracycline. It was a big pain, I couldn't eat breakfast within an hour of taking it (calcium). The benzymacin seems to help a little bit, considering when I don't use it my face gets really bad. I was hoping the tetracycline would help my back, but it didn't. So anyway, I've been thinking about seeing a dermatologist and asking about getting on Accutane. From things I've read on these boards and the internet it seems like the best medicine out there. The only problem is depression. This kinda worries me, because I've had anxiety problems earlier in life. I consider myself to have a decent ammount of knowledge about psychiatric problems (both from personal experiences and multiple classes in high school and college). I know I would recognize any symptoms and know to stop taking the drug, but it still worries me. Something one of the websites I read said was that discontinuing usage may not improve psychiatric symptoms of the drug. Does anybody have personal experience with Accutane or the Psychological symptoms involved with it... or just some good information or websites? __________________ "Relax, the world will spin beside itself and suck you in. With threats and hopes beyond compare"

04-29-2004, 05:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	FWIW, a friend's husband was the Chief Medical Officer dealing with Accutane for Roche and he has always maintained there is no link between the drug and suicide. He's since moved on to another Pharma company but still maintains that he would prescribe it if needed to any member of his family. He comes across as very believable, IMO and the evidence to the contrary is scarece or nonexistent. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

04-29-2004, 08:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
Nimbletoe Junkie Location: Michigan	I'm on it right now, 2nd cycle. There's no proven medical links between accutane and depression, but people have killed themselves on it. Just be aware that there is a small chance that it could happen, and if you start feeling that way, talk to your doctor. No big deal. And nothing works better. I wish I would have known about it many years before I did, because its really effective. __________________ Go Pistons!

04-29-2004, 08:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
Nimbletoe Junkie Location: Michigan	By the way, i've been diagnosed with mild depression before, and was on medication for awhile. While on accutane, I felt no more or less depressed than I was before taking it. The only thing that depressed me about it was the blood tests every two weeks. I hate needles^^ __________________ Go Pistons!

04-27-2004, 03:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
noahfor Addict	http://depressionforums.com/forum/ikonboard.cgi They might have some information.

04-28-2004, 12:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
mofunk Upright	The connection between Accutane treatment and depression is minimal. If there is a link, it is probably going to be hard to be very sure of because many patients taking Accutane are teenagers. Moodswings and teenagers come hand and hand. I read a little on this, but I don't remember much, so I'll stick to my anecdotal evidence (READ: just a story) I took Accutane. Worked amazingly well, and my only side-effect was dry lips. If you keep chapstik on hand EVERYWHERE you'll do okay. I've always been an emotional rock though, so not the best. 2 of my friends and my sister were on accutane. Although I never asked them about depression during or after treatment, I don't remember any unusual attitudes in any of them. This is only my experience. It doesn't count for much, if anything, but it was safe and extremely effective for me and my friends.

04-29-2004, 11:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
pimp Upright	Took it for a while and result were great! Same situation - no other treatments did the trick but I used Accutane for several months and bingo. I have never been depressed so I do not think it had any impact but it is somewhat harsh - dry skin and I think some people do have adverse reactions to it. Try it for a while and if it does not suite you - stop.