Accutane Lawsuit Information

by admin on August 14th, 2010

The latest Accutane lawsuit information has given hope to Accutane users who have developed serious inflammatory bowel side effects after using the drug.

This latest lawsuit tells the story of Andrew McCarrell, who first took the prescription drug Accutane when he was in his 20s. Accutane, a derivative of Vitamin A, was used to clear the most severe forms of acne. Nodular and cystic acne often does not respond to conventional methods of treatment, and when antibiotics are also ineffective, doctors prescribed a course of Accutane.

Accutane was introduced in 1982 and was at one point used to treat cancer. Warnings existed about the drug because it increased the risk of birth defects, so women were warned to double up on contraception while taking this medicine. Accutane was also linked with an increase in depression and suicidal behavior.

Additionally, the makers of Accutane acknowledged that people who took the drug had an increased risk of developing a chronic digestive illness called Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

After McCarrell took Accutane, he developed a form of IBD called ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammation of the colon and rectum. Repeated infection and resulting ulcers can cause a narrowing of the colon, leading to bowel obstruction. Nearly one third of the people with IBD eventually have part or their entire intestine removed.
Such as was the case with McCarrell. He has had five surgeries, including one to remove his colon.

McCarrell’s Accutane lawsuit was based on two premises: that Accutane caused him to develop IBD and that the manufacturer of Accutane did not adequately warn doctors and patients of the dangers.

McCarrell’s lawsuit against Accutane’s manufacturer, Hoffman-LaRoche, originally took place in 2007, and McCarrell was awarded $2.6 million. That judgment was overturned on an appeal, but in February 2010, a New Jersey jury awarded McCarrell $25.16 million in compensatory damages.

This Accutane lawsuit is one of almost one thousand lawsuits that Hoffman-LaRoche is facing; even now that it has removed Accutane from the market. Other Accutane users have won verdicts totaling $56 million—all claiming that Hoffman LaRoche was aware of the dangerous side effects that Accutane could have, but did not warn patients and doctors.

Money, of course, cannot buy health, or reverse an illness or injury from a prescription product. However, we believe that companies like Hoffman-LaRoche should be held accountable when their products do harm to the patients who use them.

Do you have questions about the ongoing Accutane lawsuits? If so, please contact us for a free consultation to discuss your individual situation and determine your legal options including the latest Accutane lawsuit information.