Death Linked To Acne Drug

Sydney Morning Herald

Thursday May 5, 2005

Cathy O'Leary

Australia's drug watchdog has renewed its warning about possible side-effects of depression from a controversial acne drug, amid concerns linking it to the suicide of a teenager two weeks ago.

The death of the year 12 male student at an inner-city private school has reignited debate over the drug isotretinoin, sold as Roaccutane and Oratane, which is used to treat severe acne that has not responded to other treatment.

Last year an inquest found Roaccutane might have caused depression in Roseville schoolgirl Vivian Crane, who killed herself in 2000.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration yesterday reiterated its warning that the drug, prescribed 136,000 times last year, should be carefully prescribed and monitored by doctors.

The boy, a student at International Grammar School, died on April 21, reportedly a few months after he started taking Oratane without his parents' knowledge. Last week the school's principal wrote to parents saying the drug had been linked to adolescent suicide and it was possible the boy's state of mind had become unstable as a result.

Yesterday the principal , Kerrie Murphy, said the school wanted to let parents know the facts but was not drawing any links between the death and the drug: that was a matter for others to investigate.

She said the school's priority was the welfare of other students affected by the death. A memorial was due to be held today.

The Australasian College of Dermatologists said it was worried the letter might scare people off using what was a safe and valuable drug.

The organisation's secretary, Dr Stephen Shumack, said there was no evidence it caused depression or suicidal behaviour.

"This drug has been available in Australia for 20 years and it's really only been in the last few years that concerns have been raised about possible links with depression," he said.

"Part of the dilemma is that depression is relatively common in teenagers anyway, and probably more so in those with severe acne, yet the link is made to the drug."

A spokeswoman for the Therapeutic Goods Administration said doctors were regularly warned by the watchdog to make sure patients were well aware of risks associated with the acne drug.

"The TGA regularly advises doctors to only use the drug in extreme cases of acne and to monitor patients very carefully," the spokeswoman said.