A FAMILY have spoken of their devastation after their son took his own life aged 21.

Luke Reeves had been a handsome and popular teenager but his parents Robert and Becky said his character changed after he took the prescribed acne drug Roaccutane.

They said he became irrational, lethargic and finally suicidal. They believe the change in his personality was down to the enduring side effects of the drug and are spoke out to raise awareness.

Becky said: “Luke loved life, he was up for anything. He was popular.”

Robert added: “He was clever and got good grades at GCSE and he was ambitious. He got himself an apprenticeship to be an accountant with Rapid Electronics.”

Luke underwent a four month course of Roaccutane when he was 16 to clear his acne. The drug carries warnings of side effects including depression and mood changes.

But Robert and Becky said his character change was permanent. Becky, 45, of Coppingford End, Copford, who is also an accountant, said: “There were lots of little things which were side effects of the drugs.

“He could not concentrate and he became obsessive and compulsive. He was irrational. He became sensitive to high temperatures and I took him to be tested for diabetes because he was so thirsty.”

Robert added: “He was still loving but he could not be affectionate. He had no motivation and lost his ability to reason.”

Luke first attempted suicide last summer and again in October. He was in the intensive care unit for nine days before being transferred temporarily to the Lakes mental health unit in Colchester.

Luke took his life last month. His inquest was due to be opened and adjourned today.

Robert, 50, who is a building services consultant, said: “The emergency services were fantastic but what Luke needed was to talk to a psychiatrist. He saw four different people but he needed just to talk to the same person. The service is so under-resourced.”

Mr and Mrs Reeves, who also have a daughter, Megan, 19, and son, Justin, 16, want to raise awareness of the possible link between Roaccutane and long term depression.

Mr Reeves said: “In the medical profession there is no proven link. Luke took the drug at 16 and died when he was 21. They don’t connect it. It is only when you learn how prevalent these stories are, it becomes apparent.

“He needed more support. We want parents to realise how dangerous these drugs can be. We want this to be investigated.”

The couple are devout Mormons and said their faith had helped to cope with their grief. Becky said: “We are devastated but we believe we will see him again.”

The Government agency, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulation Authority, has reviewed the safety of the drug but said the results were inconclusive.

However, it advised patients to contact their doctor straight away if they experienced any psychiatric disorders.

Drug manufacturer Roche has released a statement following Luke's tragic death.

Dr. Rav Seeruthun, medical director at Roche said: "We are deeply saddened to hear about Luke and offer our sympathies to his family during what must be an incredibly difficult time."

Expanding on the impact of Roaccutane, known in the industry as isotretinoin, he said: "We recognise that severe acne can lead to changes in mood, self-esteem and in some sufferers lead to depression.

"This is why the information provided with isotretinoin carries a warning that some patients may experience mood changes, including an increase in depression. And whilst authors recognised several limitations in their research, a retrospective study published in the BMJ in 2010 didn't establish a link between isotretinoin and an observed increased risk of suicide.

"Additionally, the MHRA concluded in December 2014, that whilst a causal link cannot be ruled out, it was not possible to identify a clear increase in risk of psychiatric disorders in people who take isotretinoin compared to those who do not."

The statement continued to address that information that comes with the tablets explains the risks and informs patients to speak to their doctors if they do feel depressed.

It said: "The patient information leaflet, which is inside every pack of isotretinoin tablets, also tells patients that - before they start taking the medicine - they must tell their doctor if they are depressed, or if they have felt this way in the past.

"If anyone believes they have suffered a side effect to any Roche medicine they should report it to us directly or to the MHRA via its yellow card system. Particular care needs to be taken in patients with a history of depression and all patients should be monitored for signs of depression and referred for appropriate treatment if necessary.

"However, discontinuation of isotretinoin may be insufficient to alleviate symptoms and therefore further psychiatric or psychological evaluation may be necessary.

"Isotretinoin is a prescription only medicine and therefore can only be safely used under the care and supervision of suitably qualified healthcare professionals. This way, specialists with the most experience can advise patients about the important safety issues associated with isotretinoin."