A popular acne drug has been cleared of the rumors that it does not increase the risk of suicide, experts claim.

Doubts have been raised on isotretinoin after a 2007 study stated that it might lead to severe depression resulting in suicidal thoughts.

Latest researches on 5,700 people, released online in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), have stated that the drug only is not responsible for the disease. Isotretinoin performs in a unique manner, it increases the rate at which old skin cells die and new skin cells are produced, and at the same time puts an end to the formation of blackheads and whiteheads.

In the recently performed study, 128 of the patients were admitted to hospital for attempted suicide.

Experts claimed that that soon after six months of treatment with the drug, the risk of suicide was increased much further than that before treatment. However, 38% of 32 patients who made their first suicide effort before treatment tried another shot to commit suicide thereafter.

71% of the 14 who made their first suicide attempt within six months after the cure ended and soon decided to commit suicide during a 15-year follow-up.

The authors stated: "An increased risk of attempted suicide was apparent up to six months after the end of treatment with isotretinoin, which motivates a close monitoring of patients for suicidal behavior for up to a year after treatment has ended."