An acne drug is being investigated over concerns it may increase the risk of depression.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) has ordered the review into Dianette, which is licensed as a hormone treatment for severe acne.
Dianette is used only in cases where other treatments, such as oral antibiotics, have not worked.
APRIL (Adverse Psychiatric Reactions Information Link), says it has details of more than 100 women who say they became seriously depressed after taking Dianette.
It is can also be used as an effective contraceptive, but doctors have been warned that they should not prescribe it solely for that purpose because it has a higher risk of blood clots than other similar combination pills.
Women who take it are supposed to stop within three or four months of their skin problems clearing up.
The manufacturer’s information leaflet does warn that one possible side effect of taking the drug is ‘mild depression’.
Millie Kieve, who runs APRIL, said: “The doctor should warn these girls that if they are depressed, it could be Dianette, instead of putting them on antidepressants.”
A spokeswoman for Schering Health Care, which manufactures Dianette, said: “Severe depression is listed in the patient information leaflet as a reason for stopping Dianette immediately. Depressive moods are also listed as a possible side effect.
The description of psychiatric reactions in the product information for healthcare professionals and patients is currently being reviewed by the MHRA.
The product information (including the Patient Information Leaflet) will be updated if necessary.
Liz Stauber
Unfortunatley, acne affects most people to some extent at some point in their lives.
Although it is most common in teenagers, as it can be highly aggravated by puberty, it can also occur in adults up until the age of 40. Whilst the condition is not severe it can lead to permanent scars, which can cause emotional distress.
Acne is the term for plugged pores (blackheads and whiteheads), pimples, and even deeper lumps (cysts or nodules) resulting from the action of hormones and other substances on the skin’s oil glands (sebaceous glands) and hair follicles and occurs on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders and even the upper arms.
It is not really known why some people do not get acne and others do, but it is thought that the most likely factor is your genes. Other factors that may be influential are; hormonal activity, stress, accumulation of dead skin cells, allergies in the skin, anabolic steroids and some other medications.
Despite what your parents might say, acne is not usually caused by dirt. This misconception probably comes from the fact that acne involves skin infections. In fact the blockages that cause acne occur deep within the narrow follicle channel, where it is impossible to wash them away. These plugs are formed by the cells and sebum created there by the body. The bacteria involved are the same bacteria that are always present on the skin.
Regular cleansing of the skin can reduce, but not prevent, acne for a particular individual and very little variation among individuals is due to hygiene. Anything beyond very gentle cleansing can actually worsen existing lesions and even encourage new ones by damaging or overdrying skin.
The good news if you do suffer from acne is that there has been a lot of research done on it recently and there are many excellent treatments available, so there is no need to hide away. Your GP should be able to help you straight away to get your skin clear and healthy relatively fast.
Ness Roche
