First approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 1982, Accutane is a very potent acne medication and is only prescribed for cases of moderate to severe acne that have not responded to other forms of treatment. Accutane, generically referred to as isotretinoin , is produced by Hoffman LaRoche, and is generally prescribed for a 6-month period. Approximately one out of every two of the 13 million treated with Accutane will be cured of their acne.
Accutane and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
While effective at treating acne, Accutane has been reported to cause a number of irreversible conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. IBD symptoms include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and constipation. IBD is uncomfortable at best, and embarrassing and painful at worst. Treatments are geared towards minimizing the symptoms since there is no cure for inflammatory bowel syndrome.
Accutane and Ulcerative Colitis
A form of IBD, ulcerative colitis (UC) is a condition in which the large intestine, the colon, and/or the rectum suffer from inflammation and are plagued by ulcers. Ulcerative colitis is typically treated by anti-inflammatory medications and dietary changes. If left untreated, UC can result in serious health complications, such as osteoporosis, liver disease, and/or colon perforation.
Accutane and Crohn’s Disease
Another type of inflammatory bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease is a condition in which any part of the digestive tract suffers from swelling or ulcers as a result of the body’s immune system attacking itself. Crohn’s disease can cause loss of concentration, eye inflammation, and skin rash, and like UC and IBD, it is incurable.
Accutane Lawyers, Lawsuits, and Settlements
Along with IBD, UC, and Crohn’s disease, Accutane has been reported to cause a number of other severe side effects, including depression, liver disease, and pancreatitis. The FDA issued a number of Accutane warnings, and the use of this medication is highly restricted and regulated; however, many have been injured and many others have died as a result of taking this drug.
Injured Accutane patients are invited to receive further information about their legal rights and take in a thorough evaluation of their case during a free initial consultation with a distinguished Accutane attorney.
If you or a loved one has used Accutane and has been diagnosed with IBD, UC, or Crohn’s disease, you should contact our Accutane lawyers immediately for a free and confidential case review. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.
