Citation

Kontaxakis VP, Skourides D, Ferentinos P, Havaki-Kontaxaki BJ, Papadimitriou GN. Ann. Gen. Psychiatry 2009; 8.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1186/1744-859X-8-2

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Isotretinoin, a synthetic oral retinoid that is used against severe nodulocystic acne, has been associated with various psychiatric side effects such as depression, suicidality and psychotic symptoms. A great number of reports on its effects have been published since its introduction into the market. However, a causal relationship has not been established and the link between isotretinoin use and psychiatric events remains controversial. The present paper reviews the available evidence regarding the association of isotretinoin and psychiatric side effects. All published material reporting psychiatric side effects following isotretinoin treatment, including case reports, case series, reports from adverse drug event reporting systems, prospective surveys and retrospective case-control studies, are presented. In addition, the neurobiology of the retinoids and possible biological mechanisms that may lead to psychopathology are described. © 2009 Kontaxakis et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Language: en

Keywords

United States; human; violence; MEDLINE; bipolar disorder; suicidal ideation; depression; psychosis; drug use; suicide attempt; suicidal behavior; acne; isotretinoin; review; mental disease; disease association; panic; doxycycline; health survey; food and drug administration; side effect; neurobiology; evidence based medicine; drug surveillance program; case control study; antibiotic agent; tetracycline; minocycline; EMBASE; diane; oxytetracycline