Former Accutane users have filed more than 5,000 lawsuits over the years against Roche, the company that manufactures the severe acne drug treatment Accutane. The lawsuits have alleged that the drug has been responsible for a range of side effects such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), birth defects and psychiatric problems. Although none has been conclusive, studies have also linked Accutane use with other problems relating to the liver, kidneys, pancreas and central nervous system.
According to Bloomberg News, Roche has lost six jury trials involving alleged Accutane side effects. In New Jersey, a jury awarded $25.16 million in damages to a plaintiff who had alleged that Accutane caused him to develop IBS and other problems. The man had five surgeries, and doctors had to remove his colon after he began taking the drug in the mid 1990s. A drug attorney can help you decide what actions to take if a dangerous drug has harmed you or a loved one.
Accutane Basics
Thirteen million people have used Accutane over the years. Introduced in 1982, Accutane targets severe cases of acne. Originally, experts intended that patients use Accutane only for the most severe acne cases for which nothing else worked (a “last resort” method), but doctors have begun to prescribe it to patients with less severe forms of acne.
Though the drug can sometimes deliver seemingly miraculous results for those who suffer from severe acne, patients should not forget that it is an extremely powerful drug. Accutane works by changing how a patient’s sebaceous glands and skin cells function.
Accutane’s Side Effects
Accutane users reported the following side effects:
- IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, severe depression, suicidal thoughts, birth defects, liver damage, acne flare ups, decreased night vision, severe skin dryness, hair thinning and loss, headaches, eczema, fatigue, brittle nails, increased sensitivity to sunlight, muscle pain, nose bleed and ringing in the ears
As a result of lawsuits and marking costs, Roche stopped manufacturing Accutane in 2009. The generic form, Isotretinoin, however, is still available. The FDA now requires that labels warning of the dangerous side effects accompany these drugs.
Patients who have taken Accutane in the past may be suffering from the drugs’ side effects. Roche, other manufacturers and doctors have a responsibility to warn patients about the severe side effects associated with the drug, which acne sufferers have used for several decades. If you or a loved one has experienced medical problems following Accutane treatment, contact a drug lawyer at Cappolino, Dodd, and Krebs, LLP to learn what options you might have.