For Your FREE Consultation CALL NOW: 1-888-808-5977

Accutane Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Accutane is a prescription medication most commonly used in the treatment of acne. Accutane’s pharmaceutical name is Isotretinoin. Isotretinoin has also been marketed as Roaccutane, Amnesteem, Claravis, Clarus, Decutan, Isotane, Izotek, Oratane, ISOTRET, and Sotret. Accutane was initially developed as a medication used to treat cancers, specifically brain and pancreatic cancers. Because of its efficiency in killing rapidly dividing cells, Accutane is still used in cancer treatments.

As a retinoid, Accutane is derived from vitamin A. High doses of vitamin A were originally used as a treatment for acne in the 1930’s. High doses of vitamin A reduce skin oil production and acne, which is what makes Accutane so beneficial in fighting heavy acne. However, high doses of vitamin A can lead to vitamin A toxicity.

Serious Accutane Side Effects

While Accutane can be effective as a treatment for acne, it is not without adverse side effects. Some of the proven side effects of Accutane are:

• Dryness of the skin

• Skin fragility

• Back pain

• Permanent thin skin

• Hepatitis

• Pancreatitis

• High blood pressure

• Psychosis

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Among the most serious adverse side effects of Accutane is inflammatory bowel disease. Chron's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are two forms of inflammatory bowel disease that have been proven through scientific studies and research to be caused by Accutane. Inflammatory bowel disease is an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s own immune system to attack the gastrointestinal system, thus causing inflammation. Inflammatory bowel disease causes abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool, and weight loss. The disease can also lead to intestinal blockages and increase the risk of intestinal cancer and colon cancer.

Treatments

While there is no known surgical or pharmaceutical cure for some types of inflammatory bowel disease, there are treatments that attempt to control the symptoms and limit the impact of the disease. One form of treatment is immunosuppression, in which steroids are used to control the disease. Severe cases often require surgical intervention. A resection of the bowel or even partial or complete colostomies are performed during surgery.

Lifelong Complications

Even though inflammatory bowel disease is treated in an attempt to control the impact of the disease, sufferers must live with the knowledge that the disease is likely incurable. Many of the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease are socially unacceptable. Additionally, sufferers of inflammatory bowel disease are at increased risk for colorectal cancer. Although rare, there are fatal cases of inflammatory bowel disease with death occurring from perforated bowels, toxic megacolon, and surgical complications.

Diagnosis

Physicians may test patients for inflammatory bowel disease by different methods or a combination of methods. Often stool samples, x-rays, and colonoscopies are used to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease. During a colonoscopy, physicians use a camera to look directly in to the intestines.

Lawsuits

Due to scientific research that has cited Accutane as cause for inflammatory bowel disease, the Food and Drug Administration has required the manufacturer of Accutane to include information pertaining specifically to this adverse side effect on product labeling. Additionally, there are over 400 cases pending in United States courts that involve patients that have allegedly contracted inflammatory bowel disease as a result of having taken Accutane. However, in spite of the FDA requiring such labels on drugs, physicians, pharmacists, and other medical personnel are not required to inform patients about adverse side effects. It is estimated that only one in every one hundred side effects are actually reported.

While the drug Accutane has had success in the treatment of acne, there are considerable side effects that need to be considered when evaluating whether or not its use is an appropriate choice. The benefit of Accutane’s ability to treat acne must be weighed against the significant risks of these side effects. Additionally patients who are currently taking Accutane or have taken Accutane in the past should be aware of the potential risks.

If you or a loved one has experienced serious side effects or health complications while using Accutane, fill out a case evaluation form today. Our team of attorneys has experience specific to complications associated with prescription medication. Not only can they give you the legal guidance you need, they can help you get the compensation you deserve.