Accutane grew in popularity as an effective treatment for severe acne when it was introduced. But, the medication has been associated with serious side effects including depression and suicide. The FDA did not require manufacturer Hoffman La Roche to post this warning on package labels until 2000, though France required a mandatory warning on a comparable medication as early as 1997.

Reported Cases of Suicide

The side effect gained notoriety when the son of a United States congressional representative committed suicide while taking Accutane. Representative Bart Stupak’s son was a high school senior who was viewed as athletic and appeared to everyone as being mentally and emotionally healthy, but the young man took his own life with a gun on prom night. Dozens of similar family tragedies have been reported, with all the victims taking the prescription Accutane. Rep. Stupak believes the incidents are much higher though he has personally received over 100 such reports.

Unique Suicidal Ideations

Generally, suicide is followed by a marked period of depression, which includes loss of appetite, irritability, fatigue, loss of interests, inability to concentrate and overall sadness. Patients taking Accutane do not present normal depression behavior commonly associated with suicide attempts. Rep. Stupak found the average amount of time involved from individuals beginning an Accutane prescription, to attempting suicide is 88 days. Citing that the experience is rather sudden and that individuals exhibit bizarre behavior and may be dead in as little as a few hours later.

Accutane No Longer Available

Hoffman-LaRoche ceased the manufacture of Accutane in 2009 and since April 2010 the medication is not available for prescription use. Depression and suicide are only a couple of the serious side effects associated with the drug. Major health risks include serious digestive disorders, liver malfunction and birth defects affecting unborn children. Some of the conditions were experienced by patients upon starting the medication, while others suffered side effects once the medication was discontinued.