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Depression, isotretinoin, and folic acid: A practical review
Author(s) -
Abdelmaksoud Ayman,
Vojvodic Aleksandra,
Ayhan Erhan,
Dönmezdil Süleyman,
Jovicevic Tatjana Vlaskovic,
Vojvodic Petar,
Lotti Torello,
Vestita Michelangelo
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1111/dth.13104
Subject(s) - medicine , isotretinoin , depression (economics) , acne , suicidal ideation , psoriasis , vitamin d and neurology , antidepressant , dermatology , psychiatry , bioinformatics , anxiety , poison control , environmental health , biology , suicide prevention , economics , macroeconomics
Isotretinoin (ISO) is a first‐generation retinoid discovered in 1952 and approved by the FDA for the treatment of nodulocystic acne in 1982. The anti‐inflammatory properties of ISO have found its use in disorders other than acne. ISO can create psychiatric problems, including depression and suicidal ideation. These neuropsychiatric problems are very similar to disorders secondary to hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), vitamin B12, and folic acid (vitamin B9) deficiencies. Given that previous literature suggested folate supplementation improved the efficacy of traditional antidepressant medications, clinicians may wish to consider folate supplementation for patients with depression or possible depressive symptoms, such as acne patients with genetic susceptibility. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor may be a cytokine‐specific screening biomarker in immune‐based antidepressive therapy.