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Patients' perceptions of isotretinoin, depression and suicide--a qualitative study
Parker Magin1, Jon Adams, Gaynor Heading
1University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. parker.magin@newcastle.edu.au
Background:
Isotretinoin is an effective acne medication. The evidence for it causing depression and suicide, although widely publicised, remains uncertain.
Methods:
Twenty-six semi-structured interviews with patients with acne were coded and subjected to thematic analysis.
Results:
Isotretinoin was perceived to be effective but dangerous. The most well known adverse effects were depression and suicide.
Discussion:
The overemphasis of serious psychological adverse events in patients might discourage the use of isotretinoin by those who might benefit from it.
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