Defective Drug

Our Defective Drug Attorneys Filing Accutane Side Effect Lawsuits

Acne Drug Accutane Linked to IBD, Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohn’s Disease

Accutane Side Effects Lawyers Fighting for Those Harmed by the Acne Drug

Acne is a skin condition that millions suffer through every day, and as pharmaceutical companies began to recognize the need and demand for medication to help treat this condition, several new acne drugs emerged on the market. One of the leading acne drugs in recent years was known as Accutane, and it emerged as a dominant medication for this niche.

Unfortunately, reports of serious Accutane side effects eventually began to surface to the point where people all over the United States needed the help of Accutane side effects lawyers. Below you’ll find an overview of this issue, including a brief history of Accutane and its intended uses, the types of Accutane side effects reports that began to surface, the ultimate disposition of this issue in terms of the overall use of Accutane and finally how you should proceed if you or someone you love has suffered as a result of using this acne medication.

A Brief Description of Accutane

Accutane was manufactured by Hoffman-LaRoche, which is one of the true corporate giants of the pharmaceutical industry. Accutane was originally approved for marketing, sale and distribution in the United States by the FDA in 1982, and it soon took hold as one of the leading acne medications on the market. Specifically, acne was used prominently to fight against two specific types of acne conditions:

Nodular Acne

Nodular acne is sometimes referred to as nodule acne, and it features symptoms that include the development of large cysts or ‘bumps’ that form on the face and the neck. These bumps actually run deep into the skin tissue and become extremely painful for the patient. In addition, a case of nodular acne can last for several months at a time and can leave long-lasting if not permanent damage to the facial and neck skin tissue behind.

Cystic Acne

Cystic acne is often associated with nodular acne because it tends to arise simultaneously with nodular acne. It basically involves the formation of the same types of cysts or bumps on the face and the neck, and it can also last for months and lead to extreme pain and discomfort for the patient as well as a high degree of embarrassment and a lack of confidence. Unlike nodular acne, cystic acne bumps tend to be comprised of white blood cells, dead skin tissue and bacteria, and this substance pushes to the surface and gives the appearance of having ‘whiteheads’ on the face and neck.

Accutane became popular because its active ingredients attack these forms of acne at their foundation. The medication seeks out the bacteria that spurns the rise in white blood cells to fight it and removes and/or kills this bacteria before it has an opportunity to grow, spread and ultimately form the bumps that form on the surface of the skin around the face and the neck.

Accutane Side Effects Begin to Surface

Unfortunately, after several years on the market, a growing number of troubling and serious Accutane side effects began to surface. These Accutane side effects tended to do much more damage than the acne it was intended to treat, and below is an overview of the specific Accutane side effects that were commonly reported.

Accutane and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is a constant, painful and pervasive condition. Basically, patients who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease experience serious inflammation of the interior of the intestines. As a result of this inflammation, the patient can suffer from constant discomfort and must deal with the tendency of the bowels to discharge unexpectedly and often.

Accutane and Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is another painful condition that attacks the interior wall of the large intestine. Specifically, the interior wall of the large intestine develops ulcers up and down the lining. This leads to extreme pain, discomfort and painful diarrhea and other serious damage to the rectal area of the body.

Accutane and Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s Disease is a condition somewhat like ulcerative colitis, and it features the same pain and extreme discomfort based on problems in the intestinal wall. These problems lead to inflammation of the area and ultimately can lead to permanent damage to the intestines and to the bowel wall.

The Result of Reports of Accutane Side Effects

In 2009, Hoffman-LaRoche announced a voluntary recall of Accutane from the American market. While many believed that the reports of Accutane side effects were the reason for the Accutane recall, the company stated that it was being done because of increased competition from generic equivalents.

How an Accutane Side Effects Lawyer Can Help

In addition to the Accutane recall, reports of a large number of lawsuits being filed against Hoffman-LaRoche also began to surface. Estimates indicate that almost $35 million had been paid out by the company in response to those claims. If you or someone you love has suffered as a result of using Accutane, contact the Accutane side effects lawyers at Phillips Law Firm today to schedule a free initial consultation.