Side Effects of Accutane Acne Treatment and Isotretinoin Side Effects

Accutane was approved by the Food& Drug Administration (FDA) in 1982 as a treatment for recalcitrant acne. Accutane’s active ingredient is isotretinoin, a substance derived from Vitamin A. Accutane acne treatment works by drying up sebum, the natural oil produced by skin glands.

Too much sebum can lead to excess growth of bacteria and the skin follicles becoming inflamed, which can lead to acne. Isotretinoin is also found in Amnesteem manufactured by Genpharm and Mylan, Claravis from Teva-Barr, and Ranbaxy’s Sotret.

Accutane has long been linked to a number of very serious side effects. A current Black Box warning on Accutane acne treatment cautions consumers about its potential to harm unborn children. Additional serious side effects of Accutane or isotretionoin side effects include depression, IBD and IBD symptoms, Crones diesease and Crone disease symptoms, and liver disease.

Accutane and IBD Symptoms

IBD is a group of other, more specific disorders that are characterized by inflammation of the bowels, or intestines. This inflammation is long-lasting and can reoccur multiple times, even if it should appear to have cleared up. Symptoms at first may appear to be similar to those of stomach flu. There is no cure for IBD, but there are treatments that can lessen your suffering.

Early IBD symptoms include:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the joints
• Sudden weight loss
• Skin conditions
• Rectal bleeding & bloody diarrhea
• Fever
• Increased visits to the toilet

There are actually two different kinds of IBD. Ulcerative colitis often causes ulcers and inflammation in the large intestine. In most cases, it begins in the rectum and works its way up the colon.

Crones diesease usually affects the small intestine, but can occur in all portions of the digestive system, including the stomach, mouth, and colon. Ulcers as one of the Crone disease symptoms may go away without treatment, but they often recur in the same or other spots over and over again.

Treatment of IBD and IBD symptoms includes dietary changes that may require patients to reduce their intake of dairy products and fiber. Anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed to relieve the inflammation caused by IBD. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent or treat infection of the ulcers. More powerful medications, called immunosuppressants, may also be necessary. In the worst-case scenarios, surgery may be required.

In 2006 the American Journal of Gastroenterology published a study that noted a link between the use of isotretinoin and isotretinoin side effects and the development of IBD. Then, in March 30, 2010, an article published in the same journal linked Accutane use to bowel problems, and even bowel disease. Researchers from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill reviewed data from 87 health insurance plans and identified over 8,000 people who had been diagnosed with IBD. They concluded that Accutane acne treatment increased the risk of developing ulcerative colitis and crone disease symptoms by four times, depending on the daily dose of the drug.

If you or someone you love loved one took Accutane acne treatment and suffers from IBD or are experiencing IBD symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, we want to hear from you today. Our Accutane and IBD lawyers intend to make sure Roche is held accountable for failing to adequately warn patients about the dangerous side effects of Accutane, such as bowel disease and Crones disease, and even the association of ulcerative colitis and Accutane. Currently we are offering free Accutane bowel disease lawsuit consultations to victims who have suffered from severe Accutane side effects. Fill out the form on the right or call 1-800-LAWINFO to consult with one of our Accutane IBD lawyers.