I'll Take Zits, and a Loud Blow with a Big Whistle

There's nothing remotely funny about the findings of Dr. Sarah Bailey at the University of Bath regarding Roche pharmaceutical's acne medication Roaccutane, but "I'll take zits" does come to mind.

Dr. Bailey's research shows how Roaccutane, (Accutane in the US) an acne drug, which is similar structurally to vitamin A, could disrupt seotonin levels in the brain leading to feelings of severe despair in an already vulnerable population of teenagers and young adults. Despair that could turn deadly.

From Dr. Bailey: "In the brain, it [serotonin] is thought to play an important role in the regulation of a range of behaviours, such as aggression, anger and sleep. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression, as well as bipolar and anxiety disorders. Many medications aimed at treating depression seek to increase levels of serotonin to help overcome these problems. Our findings suggest that Roaccutane might disrupt the way serotonin is produced and made available to the cells."

What do the folks at Roche have to say? They prefer to talk about a glass they consider to be well over half full, rather than dwell on the negative and even deadly side effects they KNOW are associated with their drug. According to a Roche spokesman, over 13 million patients worldwide have been treated with Roaccutane, a drug which "...has revolutionised the management of severe acne."

Indeed. Roaccutane (Accutane) has been linked to over 200 deaths in the US and at least 15 in the UK, prompting parents who've lost their children to demand that the drug be taken off the market.

Back to Roche's eloquent spokesperson:
"Unfortunately, severe acne can cause some sufferers to become depressed and can also affect their mood and self esteem. This is why the information provided with Roaccutane carries a warning that some patients may experience mood changes, including an increase in depression."

In other words..."don't say we didn't warn you." Thanks. I'll take the zits. And hope I hear a whistle blowing, 'cuz this just ain't right...being a teenager is tough enough without worrying that your zit meds might be killing you.

You can read more here.