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).

Accutane Symptoms: Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (Colitis ulcerosa, UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis, a disease of the intestine, specifically the large intestine or colon, that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores, in the colon. The main symptom of active disease is usually constant diarrhea mixed with blood, of gradual onset. Because of the name, IBD is often confused with irritable bowel syndrome (“IBS”), a troublesome, but much less serious, condition. Ulcerative colitis has similarities to Crohn’s disease, another form of IBD. Ulcerative colitis is an intermittent disease, with periods of exacerbated symptoms, and periods that are relatively symptom-free. Although the symptoms of ulcerative colitis can sometimes diminish on their own, the disease usually requires treatment to go into remission.

1Ulcerative colitis occurs in 35–100 people for every 100,000 in the United States, or less than 0.1% of the population. The disease is more prevalent in northern countries of the world, as well as in northern areas of individual countries or other regions. Although ulcerative colitis has no known cause, there is a presumed genetic component to susceptibility. The disease may be triggered in a susceptible person by environmental factors. Although dietary modification may reduce the discomfort of a person with the disease, ulcerative colitis is not thought to be caused by dietary factors. Although ulcerative colitis is treated as though it were an autoimmune disease, there is no consensus that it is such. Treatment is with anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppression, and biological therapy targeting specific components of the immune response. Colectomy (partial or total removal of the large bowel through surgery) is occasionally necessary, and is considered to be a cure for the disease.

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 law firm in Houston, Texas immediately so we may explain the rights and options available to you and your family.