Accutane and IBD

An Accutane Lawyer can explain to you the recent controversy surrounding this drug. Accutane was a drug produced by Hoffman La Roche Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of moderate to severe cystic acne. The drug was very effective for treating this condition by reducing the size of oil glands in the individual. Unfortunately, regular users of this drug soon found that the drug produced significant and sometimes debilitating side effects in these individuals including Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohn’s disease, among many other side effects. Due to these side effects, the drug was removed from the marketplace in June, 2009. The drug continues to be produced by other companies under different names.

One of the most common and debilitating side effects that users experience is inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. This disease is causes painful swelling of the intestinal tract. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are often thought to be different types of IBD. Common symptoms can include:

• Cramps;
• Diarrhea;
• Bowel Blockages;
• Bloody Stools;
• Loss of Bodily Fluids;
• Loss of Appetite;
• Weight Loss;
• Anemia.

This disease can be extremely debilitating. There are wide range of symptoms that one can encounter with IBD, which can also include arthritis, and inflammation of the eye and skin. It is also considered to be a major risk factor for the development of colon cancer. Once a person contracts IBD, they experience flare-ups that arise unpredictably. This causes a great deal of stress and worry in the part of the individual, leaving them in a constant state of worry when the next flare-up will strike. While symptoms can be treated with various medications, there is no cure for this disease.

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s Disease is a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. While it can occur at any point from the mouth to the anus, it is more likely to occur in the lower intestinal area. Inflammation and infection cause pain and diarrhea. Eventually, the swelling from the infection and scar tissue can cause bowel blockages. At some point, 20 – 40% of those with Crohn’s disease need to have some or the entire intestine removed because of infection.

Ulcerative Colitis

While Crohn’s Disease can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract, ulcerative colitis affects primarily the colon and rectum. Inflammation can lead to ulcers forming at the site, creating more pain and discomfort.

If you or a loved one is experiencing IBD and have taken the drug Accutane, it is important to contact an Accutane Lawyer to discuss your options. While La-Roche did put a black box warning on the drug warning of IBD as a potential side effect, many people have become ill due to taking the drug prior to the warning. As such, there have been many successful lawsuits against La-Roche to date. If you are interested in filing a lawsuit, contact the Accutane Lawsuit Side Effects Center to get more information. These cases are actually filed individually but coordinated by a single judge, who will oversee certain aspects of the case. This is known as multi-district litigation.