Daily Mail

IS IT SAFE TO TAKE ROACCUTANE?

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ROACCUTANE works by shrinking the oil glands and has an anti-inflammato­ry effect.

Because it reduces the amount of oil produced, it also diminishes the number of acne bacteria (P.acnes) which live in the oil.

‘It’s a powerful but safe and effective drug for severe acne,’ says dermatolog­ist Dr Anjali Mahto.

‘There has been controvers­y over the drug after a number of suicides in teenagers who took it were reported, but no causal link has been establishe­d.

‘Roaccutane is safe so long as it’s used with caution in people who have a history of mental health problems, and they are closely monitored while on the drugs for any signs of depression,’ she adds.

But there may be better options.

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