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Accutane Lawyers: Accutane and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Side Effect
Recently Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche laboratories, who are the producers and distributors of the Acne medicine Accutane, have reportedly agreed on a pre-trial settlement with a man that filed a lawsuit accusing the drug of causing him Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
The details of the settlement were not disclosed, but the man agreed not to bring further lawsuits against the company. His is not the only lawsuit of this nature, in fact; there are more than 1000 Accutane lawsuits currently active charging Roche with ignoring the serious side effects of Accutane with regards to Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
This is a serious problem that can cause great discomfort and result in time lost from work, changes in lifestyle, changes in physical activity level, and pain and suffering. So if you are contemplating taking Accutane or are currently taking Accutane and are displaying some of the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease this information may help you.
What is Accutane (isotretinoin)?
Accutane (isotretinoin) was discovered in the sixties as result of scientists studying the benefits and effects of Vitamin A. They found that the drug kills rapidly diving cells in the body. This revelation prompted the medical community to first start using the drug as an addition to the combination of drugs in Chemo therapy treatments for Pancreatic and Brain Cancer, both aggressive and generally inoperable cancers.
Historically Vitamin A was found to clear up skin, but became toxic if too much was taken. In the late 70’s researchers found that they could isolate isotretinoin and apply it in large doses with great effect against severe skin conditions. Roche submitted the drug in 1982 and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it.
Since then the drug has still been used for chemo therapy, but also for severe cystic acne which causes sufferers to form large painful cysts all over their bodies. These cysts leave the skin scarred and tender and cause the sufferer to have social problems as a result. Accutane has proven to help clear up or eliminate this ailment.
It is an expensive and long 4 to 6 month treatment that can be very rough both physically and psychologically. These are due to the side effects.
Accutane Side Effects
The side effects can be severe. One of them is extremely dry skin, hair, lips, and even dryness in internal organs has been reported. Users have found that they must remember to constantly stay hydrated. Another major problem that has been found has been with birth defects. Women are closely monitored and required to visit their dermatologist monthly to be tested for pregnancy.
Other side effects include:
- Severe Depression – Patients have found themselves more reclusive and less active while drug treatment.
- Suicidal Thoughts – The FDA has voiced their concern over the severity of the psychological effects as associated with suicide and Accutane.
- Behavior Changes – Patients have reported mood swings and irritability.
- Birth defects
- Crohn’s Disease – An incurable severe bowel disease that also attacks the immune system.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease – Debilitating and painful bowel problems detailed further in this article.
- Ulcerative colitis – Requires surgery that could result in a catheter
- Severe Liver Damage – loss of appetite, weight loss, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin)
Psychological effects of Accutane have also drawn wrongful death lawsuits as some patients have committed suicide while on Accutane. In these cases the psychological effects set in quickly and behavior changes were more severe than most. If you notice these changes then consult your prescribing physician right away.
Accutane and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease happens when the small intestine and colon become inflamed and tender. This affects the whole digestion process. On the outside, since the sufferer uses more energy to digest, they feel significant amounts of pain during the digestion process. The result is that they feel tired by a natural body function leading to potential weight gain and lower productivity.
On the inside the intestines inflame to such a degree that there is tearing on the walls resulting in bleeding. It also lowers the productive function of the intestines and increases the time it takes for the intestines to fulfill their function, thus adding to the pain and suffering of the patient.
Research has shown that some Inflammatory Bowel Disease cases are caused by an overactive immune system attacking various tissues of the digestive tract because of the lack of traditional targets such as parasites and worms. The number of people being diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease has increased as the number of infections by parasites, such as roundworm, hookworm and human whipworms, has fallen, and the condition is still rare in countries where parasitic infections are common.
But in a 2005 study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology they tested, “All of the adverse reports filed with the FDA between 1997 and 2002 were accessed and reviewed. Eighty-five cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease associated with isotretinoin use were reported. According to the Naranjo ADR probability scale, 4 cases (5%) scored in the “highly probable” range for isotretinoin as the cause of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, 58 cases (68%) were “probable,” 23 cases (27%) were “possible,” and no cases were “doubtful.”
Their conclusion is, regardless of the established causes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Accutane causes the disease where it may not have been existent before in some patients.
Accutane Lawyers
Accutane has been a consistent profit stream for Roche for thirty years as each treatment is highly expensive and severe acne is so common. The serious side effects have been more reactionary on the company’s part rather than a proactive policy to find out they can further protect the consumer.
Roche stopped producing and distributing the drug in 2009 after their profits lagged considerably when it became generic. But in their wake they left thousands of patients needlessly suffering from side effects that may cause life long debilitating diseases.
If you or someone you know is suffering from the debilitating side effects of Accutane then you need an experienced defective drug attorney on your side that can get you the compensation you deserve. Call Phillips Webster for a free consultation on your legal options.
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