Accutane Side Effects

Accutane and the Serious Side Effects

Accutane, a drug used to treat severe acne, has been linked to dangerous side effects in recent studies.  First used as a drug for chemotherapy, doctors noted a change in acne when using drug.  Accutane is a strong synthetic form of vitamin A.  The drug shrinks the sebaceous glands which results in a lower amount of oil being secreted.  It will also kill the bacteria found in skin and decreases inflammation.  Although once the treatment program ends, the glands begin secreting oil again just in a lower amount.  The result has been fairly widespread acceptance as a valuable treatment for acne.  It is prescribed to patients with severe skin problems such as black heads, white heads and red pimples. 

The most serious Accutane side effects include:  Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, severe depression, birth defects and liver damage.  Although there is a warning given to patients before taking the drug – it is now found to be even more dangerous.  Women in child bearing years must sign a document stating they will take all measures to avoid pregnancy while taking Accutane.  Studies also show that ulcerative colitis can occur at any time while taking the drug and could cause irreversible damage to the intestinal system.

Accutane causes Ulcerative Colitis which portrays symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.  About half of the patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis will only show mild symptoms including anemia, fatigue, and loss of appetite, weight loss, joint pain and rectal bleeding.  Researchers think the problems could be a result of an affected immune system.

Crohn’s disease can also result from the use of Accutane.  As an inflammatory bowel disease it could affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract.  When the inflammation and swelling reaches the lining of the affected organ is will normally result in diarrhea.  Some of the main symptoms of Crohn’s disease are vomiting and extreme weight loss.  Unfortunately there is no cure.  While Crohn’s is not fatal it will decrease the quality of life of those affected.  In the 2006 American Journal of Gastroenterology a scientific study linked Accutane to the risk of contracting inflammatory bowel disease.

Unfortunately for many patients the serious side effects have caused large medical expenses, pain, and suffering for unsuspecting users.  If you or someone you know has been affected you may be eligible for compensation.  Contacting an Accutane lawyer will put you on the right track to getting the money you deserve.  As affected patients are coming forward and looking for compensation the number of lawsuits against Accutane are increasing.

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