Accutane and Bowel Disease

Accutane and Bowel Disease

You may have heard of the drug Accutane. You may also have been one of the 16 million people that were prescribed this drug. It was recalled from the market in 2009 after a huge number of lawsuits were filed against the manufacturer, Hoffman-La Roche, due to side effects that included Crohn's disease and other types of inflammatory bowel disease.

The Drug

Accutane was prescribed, initially, for moderate to severe acne. As it became more prevalent on the market, it was prescribed for less severe cases of acne. By the end of its run, it was prescribed for relatively minor cases of acne, as well. The drug works by inhibiting the production of skin cells. This made it very effective in reducing the severity of acne. While doctors and patients were very well-informed by the drug's literature about its wonderful effects for acne, all of the lawsuits filed over this drug allege that they were not informed of other potential effects.

Bowel Disease

The types of bowel disease with which Accutane is associated are particularly devastating. Crohn's disease is a condition that causes the bowel to gradually degrade. In some cases, unnatural passages actually form in the intestines. Crohn's disease is extremely painful, to the point of being debilitating at times. Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of disorders with which Accutane is also associated. These disorders affect other parts of the intestinal tract. Ulcerative colitis is among the disorders associated with this drug, as well.

There are currently around 1000 lawsuits pending in state and federal courts over Accutane. Awards have reached into the tens of millions of dollars in cases that have been brought to trial. Accutane has become one of the symbols of unsafe drugs in popular culture. It fits the description very well. It was prescribed for condition that is distressing but not particularly deadly and certainly not something that people would risk a lifetime condition such as Crohn's disease to treat.

Product liability attorneys in Texas can help you file a lawsuit for damages that you suffered as a result of the side effects of Accutane. It's better to act sooner rather than later. An attorney who is familiar with product liability law will be able to tell you if your case seems like it has a good chance of winning and will be able to help you prepare your case and either negotiate a settlement or go to court with you.

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