Suicide boy was on acne drug
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A BRIGHT schoolboy killed himself after taking an acne drug which has been linked to teenage suicides in the United States, an inquest heard yesterday.
Sixth-former David Tebby, 18, of Caerleon, Newport, South Wales, was prescribed Roaccutane by his doctor to clear up his teenage spots. But within months of starting a course of the tablets he developed suicidal tendencies and threw himself off a multi-storey car park. He had been offered places at three universities after his A-levels this summer.
The hearing came two months after the US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about the drug, linked to 12 suicides in the US.
The court heard that David began taking Roaccutane two years ago. Coroner's clerk Kevin LePrevost told the Newport hearing: "The box warns the tablets may cause side effects including mood changes. But it has been linked with several teenage suicides in the United States.
"The Food and Drug Administration has decided that the warning should be strengthened. The Medical Control Agency in Britain is now considering doing the same."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments