Accutane (Isotretinoin)
Accutane (isotretinoin), manufactured by Swiss pharmaceutical company Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche (Roche), is prescribed to patients who are suffering from nodular acne. This type of acne condition is dramatically different from standard acne due to its categorization as a skin disease and the formation of large, red, and tender nodules or lumps on the skin. The common result of untreated nodular acne is permanent scars.
There are a number of side effects linked to Accutane use, such as the development of hard, crust-like skin, eye inflammation, bone or joint pain, skin infections, skin peeling, and hair loss. However, the more serious Accutane side effects include the following:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Crohn’s Disease
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are types of inflammatory bowel disease, each resulting in severe abdominal health issues. Inflammatory bowel disease is marked by intense pain in the abdominal region, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding from the rectum, pelvic cramps, pelvic muscle spasms, and loss of body weight due to poor abdominal health. In addition to these symptoms, patients suffering from Crohn’s disease may develop skin infections, eye inflammation, and arthritis. Individuals with ulcerative colitis develop ulcers on their colon, causing abdominal health decline.
Patients taking Accutane have been known to develop compromised mental health. Accutane side effects relating to mental health include:
- Depression
- Clinical depression
- Psychosis
- Suicidal thoughts
- Suicide attempts
- Suicide
If you or someone you know has experienced any of these Accutane side effects, consult with your physician on discontinuing use of Accutane. Furthermore, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your undue suffering. Contact a pharmaceutical litigation lawyer at Carey Danis & Lowe for a free legal consultation regarding the filing or an Accutane lawsuit.
Drug Information
Accutane (Isotretinoin)
Manufacturer: Hoffman La Roche
FDA Approval: May 7, 1982 to treat severe nodular acne as oral contraceptive, PMDD & mild acne treatment
Generic Availability: November 8, 2002