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Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Division of Pharmacy Practice, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO
Department of Pharmacy, St. Luke's Hospital, Chesterfield, MO; Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Division of Pharmacy Practice, St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Reprints: Shelly J Enders PharmD, Division of Pharmacy Practice, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, 4588 Parkview Pl., St. Louis, MO 63110-1088, FAX 314/446-8500, E-mail senders{at}stlcop.edu
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between isotretinoin and psychiatric illness in adolescents and young adults.
DATA SOURCES: Primary literature located via MEDLINE (1966December 2002). Key terms were isotretinoin, depression, psychosis, suicide, and adolescents.
DATA SYNTHESIS: Information regarding depression was added to isotretinoin labeling in 1998 following a series of case reports and submitted to the MedWatch system.
CONCLUSIONS: Although a causal relationship may exist between isotretinoin and psychiatric illness in adolescents and young adults, this has not been demonstrated in the literature. Until evidence establishes a presence or lack of causality, prescribers should exercise caution when treating adolescents and young adults with isotretinoin.
Key Words: depression, isotretinoin, psychosis, suicide
Published Online, June 5, 2003. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1C415