Campaigners warn over increasing use of risky acne drug

The Adverse Psychiatric Reactions Information Link has warned that too many young people are being put on the powerful anti-acne drug Roaccutane, which has been linked to a series of suicides.

The drug is used as an effective treatment for severe acne but carries a warning of side-effects including depression and mood changes.

According to statistics from NHS Digital, doctors wrote nearly 49,000 prescriptions for the tablets in England in 2016, a clear increase compared to the 2014 figure of 37,000, (and 27,000 in 2012).

In an interview with The Times, Millie Kieve, founder of the campaign group, cautioned that Roaccutane is being overused.

The news follows a warning issued to doctors in 2014 by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency cautioning doctors about the potential for psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and in rare cases suicidal thoughts.

Currently, experts advise that roaccutane should be prescribed only by or under the supervision of a consultant dermatologist; it should never be given to children younger than 12; prescribers should warn patients and their family to be aware of the potential for psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and in rare cases suicidal thoughts, and to be vigilant for symptoms; in patients with a history of depression, the benefits of treatment should be carefully weighed against the risk of psychiatric disorders; patients should be monitored for signs of depression and referred for appropriate treatment if necessary. Stopping Roaccutane may not be enough to alleviate symptoms, and further psychiatric or psychological evaluation may be necessary

A spokesman from the British Association of Dermatologists said: "Isotretinoin [Roaccutane] is a very effective treatment for acne and has hugely improved many peoples' quality of life, particularly as the psychological burden of acne can be enormous for some people.

"Because it is a very potent drug it is vital that it is prescribed by experts, that patients are informed about the potential risks and closely monitored, and that the guidelines for its use are carefully followed. As long as these recommendations are adhered to then the increasing number of prescriptions for isotretinoin is not, in itself, a cause for concern."