Chicago Injury Law Blog

In June of this year, Roche Holding quietly pulled the drug Accutane from the market. Accutane is prescribed to treat moderate to severe cases of acne. The drug has had an extensive history of leading to adverse effects since its approval in 1982, such as suicidal behavior and birth defects. The removal of the drug from the market came in the face of increasing proof that Accutane leads to another serious health problem: Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Last week, a study quantified the increased risk that Accutane presents with regard to developing this disease. Users of the medication were found to incur almost twice the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease over people not on Accutane.

Accutane and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease encompasses a group of diseases that cause the intestines to become swollen and red. The disease usually recurs and lasts a long time. Two types of inflammatory bowel disease associated with Accutane are:

Ulcerative Colitis: Ulcerative Colitis typically causes ulcers along the lower section of the large intestines. Those with the disease often suffer symptoms of abdominal pain, weight loss and bloody diarrhea. The disease may also be associated with symptoms that affect other parts of the body. For example, painful, arthritic knees in a young person who uses Accutane may be a manifestation of ulcerative colitis. This disease is also associated with an increase in the risk of colorectal cancer.

Crohn’s Disease: Crohn’s Disease typically causes ulcers along the small and large intestines. Like those who suffer from ulcerative colitis, people with Crohn’s Disease suffer from abdominal pain, weight loss, and bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include vomiting, skin rashes, arthritis, and eye inflammation. Crohn’s disease is associated with an increase in certain types of cancer, primarily of the area that is inflamed as a result of the disease.

Contact an Experienced Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered an inflammatory bowel disease or other harmful side effects, such as birth defects and suicidal behavior, as a result of taking Accutane, contact an experienced attorney at the Pintas Law Firm immediately. We can provide you with a free no-obligation consultation and explain your legal rights.

Chicago personal injury lawyers at Pintas Law Firm recently learned of plans by pharmaceutical maker Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc. to withdraw Accutane from the U.S. market. 

The drug maker has been faced with high exposure from personal injury lawsuits that the company continues to defend vigorously despite widely recognized side effects, which include mental health problems, birth defects and miscarriage. Additionally, hundreds of suicide cases have been linked to Accutane in the U.S.

Less serious side effects also include drowsiness and dizziness, which can be extremely dangerous if combined with alcohol use.

The personal injury attorneys at Chicago law firm William G. Pintas and Associates are committed to protecting clients’ rights in Illinois and throughout the country. The firm has successfully handled thousands of personal injury lawsuits and is currently analyzing persons right to a claim after they call the firm. Consultations are free. Contact the Pintas firm  if you or a loved one has suffered any of the above non-problems while taking Acutane. 

Generic versions of the acne drug, known as isotretinoin, will still be available from several manufacturers. The FDA has more information on isotretinoin products. 

In the News:

Roche Discontinues and Plans to Delist Accutane in the U.S.

"CHICAGO - Accutane, the powerful acne drug already known to cause birth defects, seems to raise the risk for potential heart and liver problems more than doctors had expected, according to a new study.

The findings came from lab tests on 13,772 patients taking the popular acne drug and underscore the need to closely monitor people taking isotretinoin, which is sold as Accutane and in three generic versions. Abnormal results for cholesterol and liver function were more common than expected."

Read more at Yahoo! news.

"The government-approved system for preventing pregnant women from taking Accutane, the acne drug linked to miscarriages and severe birth defects, is a 'disaster,' the nation's leading dermatology association told a federal advisory panel on Friday. 'Pharmacies, prescribers and patients are confused and frustrated,' said Dr. Diane M. Thiboutot of the American Academy of Dermatology, who held a stack of what she said were samples of 200 complaints from dermatologists. She asked the panel to delay the system's mandatory starting date of March 1 by at least two months. But advocates of regulating Accutane said complaints about the new system were exaggerated."

Read the full article in the NY Times here.

Accutane (isotretinoin) is prescribed for serious acne in children and adults. It is estimated the 8-12 million people have been prescribed the medication in the United States alone. With that, more than 70,000 adverse events have been reported to the FDA. This number is staggering when considering that it is estimated that only 10% of all adverse events are actually reported.
Studies link up the drug with side effects such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, cardiovascular injuries, kidney and liver failure, psychiatric injuries and suicidal ideation, and severe birth defects. Roche Laboratories, the maker of Accutane, denies all side effects other than birth defects.
Roche acted improperly in failing to properly warn of Accutane's myriad of side effects. The failure to warn leads to a failure of doctors to monitor for serious conditions caused by the drugs use. Many users are not even aware that Accutane may have caused their condition.