Accutane Lawsuit Information News

by admin on January 24th, 2011

Treatment for Accutane side effects involving Crohn’s disease is not aimed at curing the disorder. Please contact us for the latest Accutane lawsuit information news and updates. Individuals suffering from Accutane inflammatory bowel disease symptoms are continuing to file cases. Once the condition develops, it persists in some form throughout the patient’s life. Instead, the purpose of treatment is to provide relief from symptoms, reduce the likelihood of serious complications, and ensure the patient receives the nutrients he or she needs. This is accomplished through various strategies, all of which seek to minimize inflammation of the digestive tract.

In most cases, one or more classes of medications are used to address inflammation. The drugs work in different ways to produce similar results. On occasion, surgery is performed. However, because Accutane Crohn’s disease symptoms can affect any part of the digestive tract – from mouth to anus – surgery is not curative. Its purpose is to push the disorder into temporary remission. We’ll examine both approaches in more detail below.

Medications To Reduce Or Control Inflammation

The main classes of drugs used in treating Crohn’s disease are immune system suppressants, anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, and corticosteroids. They are prescribed with the goal of symptom maintenance or to address flare-ups.

Immunosuppressants seek to reduce inflammation by interacting with the patient’s immune system. The most common drugs in this class given for IBD are Imuran and Purinethol. Both are effective, though they take a few months to produce results. Other immune system suppressants include Humira, Cimzia, and Remicade, all of which interact with a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). If the patient fails to respond to these drugs, a more potent agent called cyclosporine may be given.

Anti-inflammatory medications treat inflamed tissue more directly than immunosuppressants. The most popular drugs in this class are Asacol and Azulfidine. Both can cause side effects, such as heartburn, headache, and vomiting. Asacol can also cause diarrhea.

Antibiotics are given to neutralize infection, and thereby reduce inflammation. The most common drug in this class given for Crohn’s disease is Flagyl. In some patients, it can cause muscle pain, a lack of sensation in the extremities, and nausea. An alternative antibiotic called Cipro is gaining favor with doctors. Though it does not cause numbness, Cipro can cause nausea and vomiting.

Lastly, corticosteroids may be given. The drawback with these drugs is that they can cause a number of serious long-term side effects, including bone fractures, type 2 diabetes, and cataracts. They have also been linked to insomnia and puffiness in the face. Because of these complications, corticosteroids are usually reserved for patients with Accutane side effects caused by Crohn’s disease who have not responded to other drugs. When they are given, it is only for short-term treatment.

Surgery To Remove Portions Of The Intestine

Many people with Crohn’s disease choose to undergo surgery to remove diseased portions of their digestive tract. Doing so relieves severe symptoms. In some cases, dangerous complications stemming from the disorder (e.g. fistulas, bowel obstructions, etc.) may require surgery. It is estimated that nearly eight in ten people who suffer from this type of IBD will have surgery within a decade of their diagnosis.

The most common procedure is a resection. This is an operation during which the surgeon cuts away the affected tissue, and attaches the ends of the remaining tract. As noted earlier, this does not cure the disorder since tissue throughout the digestive tract can become inflamed after the operation – even years later.

Another procedure is called strictureplasty. This is done when inflammation from Crohn’s disease causes scarring along the intestinal wall. The scar tissue narrows the passage, causing a stricture that impairs the flow of material through the tract. A small balloon is guided to the site of the stricture, and used to widen the passage.

Accutane Lawsuit Information
Symptoms of Accutane Crohn’s disease are usually severe enough to motivate patients to seek treatment. While there is no cure for this disorder, medications and surgery can provide relief. If you are currently suffering from abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, intestinal ulcers, or other serious Crohn’s disease side effects, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact an Accutane class action lawsuit lawyer to discuss your options.