Accutane And Ulcerative Colitis

by admin on September 21st, 2010

Patients have reported Accutane and ulcerative colitis symptoms following use of this acne drug medication resulting in permanent bowel injuries. Accutane is a prescription medicine used primarily to treat severe cases of acne. Under the generic name isotretinoin, this drug was initially used in chemotherapy. Introduced in 1982, it has seen positive results in helping to clear cases of severe nodular or cystic acne when traditional treatments, including antibiotics, don’t work. At one time, more than 13 million people used Accutane worldwide.

As usage grew, side effects from the drug became more widely known. The most prevalent warning for Accutane users was that they should, under no circumstances, become pregnant while using the drug, because Accutane could cause birth defects. Female patients of childbearing age were provided with information about the risks Accutane could cause to unborn babies, and were cautioned to use two methods of contraception.

Another side effect of Accutane was an increased risk of depression and an increase in suicidal behavior.

A third type of side effect, which was not as well known, was the increase that Accutane had on IBD.

What is IBD?

IBD, otherwise known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, describes certain chronic, potentially serious conditions that affect the gastrointestinal tract. IBD is comprised of two main illnesses: Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis.

In both cases, the digestive system suffers from repeated inflammation, causing pain, diarrhea, and infection, possibly leading to bowel obstruction.

Accutane Crohn’s disease symptoms may occur anywhere in the digestive system, from the mouth, through the intestines, to the anus, but most typically in the lower intestine. Ulcerative colitis is more limited, occurring primarily in the colon and rectum.

At times, the disease may not present any symptoms, but flare-ups can occur without warning. Current treatment consists of managing and preventing symptoms, but as of now, there is no cure.

The repeated inflammation and infection in the digestive tract can cause scarring and narrowing of the intestine, which can cause bowel obstructions. Patients may require surgery at some time to remove some or all of the intestine.

Link between Accutane IBD

In a recent study by researchers at the University of North Carolina, a significant link was established between the use of Accutane and the risk of developing IBD, saying that Accutane users had almost two times the odds of developing serious bowel disorders as nonusers, and that this risk increased the longer Accutane was used.

Scientists are not entirely sure what causes IBD. It could be that some people are more susceptible to attacking certain bacteria that naturally resides in the body, leading to inflammation. But what the research does show is that the use of Accutane can have an impact on developing IBD.

Citing economic reasons, Accutane manufacturers removed the drug from the market in 2009. Still, generic versions remain available.

Are You Affected by the Accutane Inflammatory Bowel Disease Connection?

If you have taken Accutane and now have IBD, we would like to talk with you. We represent clients who believe that the manufacturers of Accutane did not adequately warn patients about the risk or severity of IBD, and are seeking compensation for their medical expenses as well as their pain and suffering.

We invite you to contact us for a consultation to discuss your individual situation. As always, you pay no fee unless we win compensation for your case. Please contact us for the latest Accutane lawsuit 2010 news and filing deadlines.