Accutane is a prescription for acne.  It was created by Hoffmann-La Roche, a global drug manufacturer. This acne medication was initially prescribed for people with serious acne that did not respond to other treatments, but it has been more frequently prescribed in the last 25 years for less severe acne.  This practice has been criticized because it has caused serious side effects, which has led to Accutane side effects long term.  Below is some more information about the drug and Accutane class action lawsuit type litigation information. Cases are currently consolidated into what is referred to as “multi-district” litigation, which means that cases are filed individually, but one judge oversees certain aspects of the lawsuits such as discovery.

 

How does Accutane work?

Accutane comes in pill form and is a Vitamin A derivative. It is administered for 15 to 20 weeks and then stopped. Accutane stops acne by affecting the ways it develops. First it dramatically reduces the size of the skin’s oil glands from 25% to over 55%, and even more dramatically reduces the amount of oil the skin produces by about 80%. Accutane also reduces the amount of acne bacteria that lives in skin oil, since it reduces the amount of the skin oil. Third, it reduces the speed at which the skin produces skin cells inside the pore, which helps the pores from becoming clogged. Finally, it has anti-inflammatory properties. However, it has also caused serious health problems which have, in some cases, lead to Accutane long term side effects.

 

Accutane FDA Warning

The FDA has required a black box warning be put on all containers of Accutane, warning of all risks associated with the drug.  A black box warning is the FDA’s strictest warning. Following reports of Accutane bowel problems and increasing numbers of lawsuits filed, the manufacturer removed their acne medication from the marketplace which some have considered an Accutane recall, even though the manufacturer has not admitted that the medication presents a danger to patients who take it.

 

Accutane Side Effects Years Later

Accutane has caused serious side effects in some patients, including inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

 

What is inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease is a gastrointestinal disorder.  It refers to two chronic diseases that cause inflammation of the intestines: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Treatment is available for inflammatory bowel disease, but there is no known cure.

Accutane ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract accompanied by ulcers on the lining of the large intestine and rectum. Ulcerative colitis is often the most severe in the rectal area, and causes frequent diarrhea.

Accutane Crohn’s disease most commonly affects the last part of the small intestine (the terminal ileum) and parts of the large intestine.  However, it isn’t confined to these areas and it can attack any part of the digestive track.  Crohn’s disease causes inflammation that extends far deeper into the layers of the intestine wall and generally involves the entire bowel wall, whereas ulcerative colitis affects the bowel lining.

 

Accutane Lawsuit Information

People who have suffered serious Accutane side effects may be eligible to file a lawsuit against Hoffmann-La Roche.  To be successful, plaintiffs must prove that they were not warned of the serious Accutane long term effects, which generally means that they took Accutane before the black box warning label was put on the Accutane package.  Recently, in February 2010, a man was awarded $25 million in a lawsuit against Hoffmann-La Roche for failing to warn of side effects, after he developed inflammatory bowel disorder.  In 2009, Hoffman-La Roche discontinued manufacturing Accutane because of that company’s dwindling market share, but it can still be held accountable for the times when it did manufacture the drug.

 

For more information on Accutane side effects and the latest litigation updates please visit our resource website: Accutane Lawsuit Center