Accutane (isotretinoin), or Roaccutane as it is known in other parts of the world, was discovered in 1979 and released in 1982 by Hoffmann-La Roche. Accutane was given to patients to treat severe acne because it affects all four ways that acne develops. Most Accutane patients reacted with dramatic and permanent clearing of their acne symptoms. Accutane is a vitamin A derivative (13-cis-retinoic acid) which is administered orally in pill form, for 15 to 20 weeks. Accutane was originally only prescribed to patients with severe acne that did not respond to other forms of acne treatments. However, over the past 25 years Accutane has gained in popularity and is being prescribed not only more frequently, but also for less severe acne. This practice is controversial because Accutane increases a patient’s risk of developing serious side effects such as Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Severe Accutane Side Effects
Severe side effects from the use of the medication Accutane include:
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Severe urgency to have a bowel movement
- Persistent diarrhea
- Mucus in stools
- Blood in stools
- Bloody stools
- Bloody diarrhea
- Crohn’s disease (CD)
- Ulcerative colitis (UC)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Speak to an Accutane Lawyer
If you took Accutane and developed Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we encourage you to contact an Accutane litigation attorney at our law firm immediately. It may be too late to recover from the debilitating effects of Accutane, but an experienced product liability attorney can assist you in a legal action against the makers of Accutane, Roche Laboratories. You are not alone. Join other Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) victims and their families in fighting for their legal rights.
Please fill out our free legal evaluation form on the far right and we will call or e-mail you back within 24 hours. Please keep in mind that certain states have a statute of limitations that limits the amount of time you have to file an Accutane lawsuit or seek legal action. Contact our Houston law firm immediately so we may explain the rights and options available to you and your family.