Accutane® and Ulcerative Colitis
(800) 880-4965
Accutane is a brand name of the drug isotretinoin, a medication to treat severe acne, which was withdrawn from the market in June 2009. Before the manufacturer, Roche, withdrew the medication, it was prescribed to treat nodular (cystic) severe acne.
It worked by reducing the production of sebum secretion (lessened oil production of the skin), therefore decreasing the chances for developing the serious skin disorder. Roche warned doctors and patients of serious side effects that had been associated with the medication.
According to reports, for many years Roche had warned of a strong relationship between Accutane and “an extremely high risk of birth defects.” Women of childbearing age were told of the risks by their doctors and required to sign a pledge to avoid pregnancy during the time they were taking Accutane.
More recently, however, ingestion of Accutane has been a suspected cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease. A study published in the August 2006 issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology, confirmed that patients taking Accutane faced an increased risk of developing IBD, including ulcerative colitis.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:
• Frequent diarrhea
• Abdominal pain, usually cramps, occurring on the left side of the abdomen
• Fever
• Reddening and inflammation of the eye
• Pain in the large joints such as the elbows, ankles, knees, wrists and shoulders
• Red nodules on the shins or calves
• Mouth sores
The manufacturer Roche warned patients taking Accutane to be aware of other potential side effects of taking the powerful medication. These included:
• Broken bones
• Muscle weakness
• Discontinuation of long bone growth in teenagers
• Hearing problems or possibly permanent hearing loss
• Problems with vision—ability to see in the dark
• Painful or constant dryness of the eyes
• Rise in the levels of fats and cholesterol in the blood
• Serious allergic reactions such as hives, swollen face or mouth, or trouble breathing
• Blood sugar problems, including diabetes
• Decreased red and white blood cells
• Problems with breathing, or feeling faint or weak
• Severe depression
The company said the reason for withdrawing the medication from the market was financial.
Roche has paid millions of dollars to patients harmed by taking Accutane. If you or someone you know took this medication and believe you’ve suffered from ulcerative colitis or another serious side effect of the drug, you may want to contact an attorney with experience in representing people who have had severe reactions to Accutane.
To schedule a free case evaluation, call an Accutane lawyer today (800) 880-4965 or send us an email and someone from our law office will be in touch shortly.
