Accutane and Gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease, Ulcerativecolitis, and IBD.
Accutane (isotretinoin) is a prescription medication approved by the FDA in 1982 for the treatment of severe acne. The drug is manufactured by Roche Pharmaceuticals. Experts are not sure how Accutane works to cure acne, but some speculate that it reduces the production of sebum, an oily substance secreted by glands on the face, thus minimizing the inflammation that results in acne.
Roche stopped manufacturing Accutane in 2009, citing a loss in profits due to the availability of the generic form of the drug as well as the high cost of defending against Accutane side effects lawsuits. However, the drug was prescribed to more than 13 million people in its more than 25 years on the market.
Accutane Side Effects
Several side effects have been associated with Accutane, including the following gastrointestinal disorders:
• Crohn's Disease can affect any part of the digestive system — including the mouth, anus, stomach or intestines — as well as parts of the body outside the digestive system. Symptoms can include diarrhea (often bloody), abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss, eye irritation, skin rash and arthritis. Crohn's disease cannot be cured, but its symptoms can be managed with medication, lifestyle changes and surgery.
• Ulcerativecolitis is a disease in which the patient develops open sores in the colon and on the rectum. A person with ulcerative colitis experiences constant bloody diarrhea. In severe cases, patients may need to have all or part of their colon surgically removed.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a group of disorders that involve inflammation of the large and small intestines and result in extreme abdominal pain, fever, joint pain, rectal bleeding, weight loss and other symptoms. The main two types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
In addition to gastrointestinal disorders, Accutane is associated with many other serious side effects, including:
- Liver damage
- Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
- Allergic reactions
- Birth defects
- Psychosis
- Depression
- Suicidal behavior
Accutane Lawsuits
There have been a number of lawsuits filed against Roche Pharmaceuticals, many resulting in significant settlements and jury awards for Accutane inflammatory bowel disease patients and others who have been harmed by this drug. If you have experienced an Accutane-related side effect, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Contact Levin Simes Kaiser & Gornick, LLP at 1-877-LSKG-LAW to schedule a free consultation regarding your case and how we may be able to help you.
Levin Simes Kaiser & Gornick, LLP
44 Montgomery Street, 36th floor
San Francisco, CA 94104
Ph: 1-877-LSKG-LAW
(1-877-575-4529)
Fax: 415-981-1270
