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Accutane - RoAccutane and other Isotretinoins

Media and Government Hysteria over Accutane

• U.S. iPLEDGE Program - April 2006

• U.S. FDA imposes monitoring - August 2005

• U.S. FDA approves risk management program - Roche Pharmaceuticals

• CDA explains why Canadians don't need the iPledge type framework in Canada

• U.S. tightens safety rules for acne drug - CBC Health and Science News - August 12, 2005

• Accutane on Google News Accutane.newstrove.com - for the latest media hype about the controversy.

• Hoffman-LaRoche wins Accutane trial in Oklahoma - Woman who sued Roche because she claimed her depression was caused by Accutane loses lawsuit. Jury desides unanimously in tort case.
• Was Bishop's suicide caused by Accutane - or was he just sick? - 19 year old former Accutane patients speaks out in Youth Outlook web site. You can send your feedback.

Accutane - The facts about depression and suicide

• Search DocGuide.com for Accutane and Depression Isotretinoin Use and Risk of Depression, Psychotic Symptoms, Suicide, and Attempted Suicide -
  Arch Dermatol. 2000;136:1231-1236 Conclusion: This study provides no evidence that use of isotretinoin is associated with an increased risk for depression, suicide, or other psychiatric disorders.

• Isotretinoin Therapy and Mood Changes in Adolescents With Moderate to Severe Acne
  Arch Dermatol. 2005;141:557-560 Conclusions: The use of isotretinoin in the treatment of moderate-severe acne in adolescents did not increase symptoms of depression. On the contrary, treatment of acne either with conservative therapy or with isotretinoin was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms.


• Acne, Isotretinoin and Depression
  Drugs and Therapeutics BulletinAt any one time, most 16-18-year-olds and up to half of adults have acne. In 60% of all teenagers, the condition will be sufficiently severe for them to self-treat or seek medical advice. Up to half of 12-20-year-olds with acne develop psychological or social problems. Oral isotretinoin, which is used for the treatment of severe acne, might be expected to improve psychological functioning. However, there have been suggestions that the drug itself might cause depression and suicide. Here we consider these concerns, and the implications for the use of isotretinoin when managing patients of all ages.

Accutane - Isotretinoin

• What is it?
    Isotretinoin: RxList.com, Mosby
• Who makes it?
    Roche - It has various brand names throughout the world.
    Roche - U.S. Accutane
  Roche - U.S. Accutane - product monograph   Roche - Canada Accutane - product monograph
• Should you take Accutane?
    Principal FDA Page
    On the Teen Scene: Acne Agony - F.D.A.
  
• The Power of Accutane
  The Benefits and Risks of a Breakthrough Acne Drug - FDA

• Can you use it more than once?
    Doctors discuss what they would do if Accutane failed the first time
  
• Research and other uses for Accutane
    Diabetes Drug and Accutane
    - Shown to block breast cancer cell growth in animals
  

Warnings and Drug Interactions

•   Accutane®-Exposed Pregnancies - California, 1999
    - MMWR: study of birth defects
  
  
•   FDA statements on side effects
    - FDA advises consumers and health care providers of new safety information regarding the prescription anti-acne drug Accutane (isotretinoin) and isolated reports of depression, psychosis and rarely suicidal thoughts and actions.
  
  
•   Study: Accutane No Suicide Threat
    Company-sponsored report finds it no worse than antibiotics
  
  
•   Accutane and Marijuana Use
    - Addiction Forum
  
  
• Prescribing Information from Roche
    Roche Canada
    Roche Canada - le site en français
    Roche U.S.
  


• Doctors' FAQs on Accutane
    Doctors' Answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" - Drug InfoNet
    Accutane In the News - Medscape


• Quack Cures and False Remedies by Herbalists and Naturopaths
    French "Doctor's" Pycnogenols Cures Everything
    - Chemist Jack Masquelier and his merry band of converts spill the beans on this cure-all for almost all human misery. Tune in the RealAudio show.
    

Why you shouldn't buy Accutane over the internet

•   FDA Warning letter to Edrugnet.net - Colorado Springs in 2003
    - These bozos were selling foreign made Accutane without a prescription to Americans. So I went to their web site in April 2006 and they are still selling Accutane but have a big disclaimer that they are not able to sell in the U.S.
  
  
•   U.S. General Accounting Office Testimony
    - Safety risks for consumers. You may be taking your life into your hands if you buy from internet pharmacies, especially from those who are outside the U.S. Some drugs, like Accutane arrived without instructions in English.
  
  

  Why you shouldn't buy Accutane over the internet

•   FDA Warning letter to Edrugnet.net - Colorado Springs in 2003
    - These bozos were selling foreign made Accutane without a prescription to Americans. So I went to their web site in April 2006 and they are still selling Accutane but have a big disclaimer that they are not able to sell in the U.S.