Accutane & Crohn’s Disease – Side Effect Information
Accutane is a medication intended for the treatment of severe acne. It was first introduced in 1982 and has been used by more than 16 million patients worldwide. Citing growing competition from generics and a string of Accutane lawsuits, the makers of the drug pulled it from the U.S. market in 2009. However the medication continues to remain in use in other countries.
Throughout its history, Accutane has been linked with several severe side effects including birth defects and suicide. It has also been linked to inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn’s disease, a chronic illness that affects the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease is often characterized by the following symptoms:
- Abdominal discomfort often located in the lower right quadrant
- Bloody stools
- Loss of appetite
- Severe diarrhea
- Ulcers
- Weight loss
In severe cases, patients with Crohn’s disease may also experience the following symptoms:
- Arthritis
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Skin complications
- Stunted growth in children
Patients who develop any of the symptoms listed above should stop taking Accutane immediately and contact their physician.
Accutane and Crohn’s Disease-Related Litigation
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against Roche Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Accutane. Many plaintiffs state they developed severe gastrointestinal disorders after taking the medication and criticize Roche for not issuing sterner warnings about the dangers of the drug.
If you have experienced severe side effects while taking Accutane, you may choose to file a lawsuit to receive compensation for medical expenses and suffering. For more information about Accutane lawsuits, contact the Oklahoma dangerous drug injury lawyers at Maples Law Firm.
The latest development in the series of Accutane lawsuits occurred on February 16, 2010, when a New Jersey court ruled that Roche Pharmaceuticals must pay $25.16 million in damages to a man who claimed he developed debilitating inflammatory bowel disease after taking the medication. This came after an earlier ruling stating the company must pay the man $2.6 million in damages was overturned on appeal. Roche Pharmaceuticals maintains they will also appeal the latest results.