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Accutane Lawyers: Accutane and the Crohns Disease Side Effect
Roche, the Swiss pharmaceutical behemoth and long-time maker of the popular severe acne drug Accutane, has been running into some serious problems in the past few years regarding the previously unrevealed side effects of the drug. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed in the United States alone with charges that the drug caused the patient to develop debilitating bowel disorders.
One such case involved a New Jersey man who was awarded $25 million in 2010 for developing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), a painful disease that can cause tearing in the small intestine and colon wall causing irritation and bleeding. The effects go beyond discomfort and lead to loss of work and serious life changes. Yet, IBD is treatable and can be cured over time, where as another side effect of Accutane, Crohns Disease, is far more debilitating and currently has no cure.
In this article you will find out how Accutane works and what Crohns Disease is. Then we will offer solutions if you are thinking about taking Accutane or have developed Crohns Disease by taking Accutane. But first, it is best to know a little about Accutane itself.
What is Accutane (isotretinoin)?
Accutane (isotretinoin) was first developed in the 60’s while scientists studyied the benefits and effects of Vitamin A. They found that this naturally occurring drug kills rapidly diving cells in the body. This exciting discovery was utilized by the medical community in chemotherapy treatments for pancreatic cancer and brain cancer, both aggressive and generally inoperable cancers. The drug is still used for this purpose, but in the 1970’s another use was discovered.
Previously to the discovery of vitamin A, foods high in its content such as liver, carrots, and broccoli were thought to aid skin health. Vitamin A was found to clear up skin, but became toxic if too much was taken. In the late 70’s researchers for Roche found that they could extract isotretinoin and, unlike vitamine A, apply it in large doses with great effect against severe skin conditions such as cystic acne. Roche submitted the drug and their findings to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and in 1982 it was approved for prescription.
Since then the drug has been a cash-cow for Roche. Millions of people suffer from severe cystic acne which causes patients to form large painful cysts all over their bodies. These cysts leave the skin scarred and tender and cause the sufferer to have extreme discomfort and also social problems as a result. Accutane has proven to help clear up or eliminate this ailment.
Accutane is an expensive and long 4 to 6 month treatment that can be very rough both physically and psychologically. Roche has since stopped producing the drug since it went generic and began to be manufactured by various other sources. Though it is sold by some online sources it is highly recommended to only get the drug and take it under the supervision of a physician because of the severe side effects.
Accutane Side Effects
Roche, the FDA, and independent physicians have known about the severe side effects for years and the instructions for the drug have been modified many times to cover some of these. First off, patients must remember to constantly stay hydrated. One of the main complaints from patients is extremely dry skin, hair, lips, and even dryness in internal organs such as the kidneys leading to back pain.
Another major side effect that is addressed with great detail on the instructions has been birth defects. Women taking Accutane are closely monitored and required to visit their doctor or prescribing dermatologist monthly to be tested for pregnancy and monitor their progress. There are many detailed forms that go along with this risk to assure that a child is not conceived during or even a short period after treatment as traces of the drug remain in the system for days to weeks after the treatment period.
Other side effects include:
- Severe Depression – Reclusive and less active behavior. Tiredness and feelings of distance from others.
- Suicidal Thoughts – Psychological effects as associated with suicide and Accutane.
- Behavior Changes – Extreme mood swings and irritability.
- Birth Defects – Women are advised to use extreme caution to avoid pregnancy.
- Crohns Disease – See Below.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – Debilitating and painful bowel problems (see link).
- Ulcerative colitis – Requires surgery with long recovery period.
- Severe Liver Damage – loss of appetite, weight loss, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin)
The severe psychological effects of Accutane have led to many wrongful death lawsuits because there have been suicides of patients while on Accutane. In most cases spouses, friends, and other family members reported that the psychological effects set in quickly and behavior changes were extreme. It took decades to realize this side effect because until the 90’s, it was generally unknown that drugs could cause thoughts of suicide. If you notice these changes in yourself or a loved one during treatment, consult your physician right away.
Accutane and Crohns Disease
Crohn’s disease is an acute form of IBD that not only causes swelling in the intestines, but the whole gastrointestinal (GI) tract from mouth to anus. Crohn’s disease effects all layers of the intestine and normal healthy bowel can be found between sections of diseased bowel. Because the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease are similar to other intestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis, it is often misdiagnosed. Crohns Disease most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum, but that is not the fact in all cases.
Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally and, when not caused by Accutane treatment, has been found to run in some families. Research has found that people of Jewish heritage generally have a higher risk of Crohn’s Disease, and African Americans have a lower risk, but are not exempt from developing the disease.
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease vary, thus making it hard to diagnose, particularly if the symptoms appear during a time when the flu is prominent. The symptoms are abdominal pain (sharp pain in the lower right area), and diarrhea. Other symptoms include rectal bleeding, weight loss, arthritis, skin problems, and fever. If bleeding is persistent it could lead to anemia.
As stated previously, there is no known cure for Crohns Disease, but there are effective treatments that can help sufferers lead fairly normal lives, though they are always in danger of periodic flair-ups. Some patients with acute Crohns Disease are almost completely disabled by it, suffer from malnutrition due to lack of appetite, age at an accelerated rate, and die early as a result.
Accutane Lawyers
Accutane has been a stable part of Roche’s drug portfolio for decades reaping billions upon billions of dollars and propelling the company to one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Severe cystic acne is so common that they were able to charge far above what normal drug treatments cost. Thus, the company’s reaction to the serious side effects has been found to be less than adequate in the past so to not affect sales.
Roche has since stopped producing the drug after their profits lagged considerably when it became generic in 2009. But they have been found to have not adequately studied the side effects of the drug. This has left thousands of past Accutane patients needlessly suffering from side effects that may cause life long debilitating diseases.
If you or a loved one is suffering from the life-altering 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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