Accutane and Inflammatory Bowel Disease have permanently disabled and decreased the quality of life for many Americans and, as result, they have been the foundation for hundreds of defective drug lawsuits filed against Hoffman-LaRoche (now LaRoche Pharmaceuticals), the maker of Accutane in the U.S. Initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1982 for the treatment of severe acne, Accutane (isotretinoin) is a powerful acne-fighting medication that:
- decreases the size of and oil production from certain types of skin cells
- is only prescribed when all other acne medication fail
- is generally only indicated for a 4- to 6-month course of treatment
- was recalled by Hoffman-LaRoche in the U.S. in 2009 due to findings that this drug was causing a number of serious side effects, including IBD.
When Accutane Causes Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
IBD can manifest as either:
- Crohn’s disease, chronic inflammation of any part of the digestive tract ranging from the mouth to the anus
- Ulcerative colitis, recurring swelling of the digestive tract specifically within the small intestine, large intestine or rectum
Both forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease have been clinically proven to arise as a result of taking Accutane, and both share the following symptoms:
- abdominal cramping and pain
- diarrhea
- fever
- rectal bleeding
- vomiting
- weight loss
To definitively diagnose Inflammatory Bowel Disease in an Accutane user, doctors may perform blood tests, a colonoscopy or endoscopy, and imaging tests, such as MRIs and CT scans. Following an IBD diagnosis, treatments will be aimed at controlling the symptoms of the condition, as it is currently incurable. Common Inflammatory Bowel treatments include anti-inflammatory and immuno-suppressant medications.
Compensation for Accutane-Related Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Accutane users who develop Inflammatory Bowel Disease should, once their health is stable and they have started the proper treatment, speak with an experienced defective drug attorney at our firm to receive a thorough, professional evaluation of their case, along with expert advice on how to move forward. Injured parties will have a legal claim against LaRoche Pharmaceuticals, and they will be entitled to a settlement that can compensate them for their losses, pain and suffering.
