Accutane, an acne medicine, is being pulled from the U.S. market after its manufacturer Roche A G paid at least 33 million dollars in damages to people who claimed they suffered gastrointestinal injuries as a result of the drug.
Accutane is a form of vitamin A that reduces the amount of oil released by oil glands in the skin. This process helps skin renew itself more quickly with fewer blemishes. About 13 million people have taken Accutane since it went on the market in 1982. The medication was Roche’s second-biggest selling drug before the patent expired in 2002 and rival pharmaceutical companies started selling the generic versions. Accutane is used to treat severe nodular acne only after other acne treatments fail to produce results. Treatments of acne begin with topical medications such as peroxide and is followed up by oral antibiotics and finally with Accutane. This is because even though the other treatments are less effective than Accutane, they are considered to be safer.
A United States research report confirms that people who have taken Accutane are at a high risk of developing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Crohn’s Disease, or Colitis. Symptoms of these conditions include:
- Severe abdominal discomfort/cramping
- Diarrhea
- Urgent need to go to the bathroom
- Bloody diarrhea
If you or a loved on have suffered or been injured from Accutane you may be entitled to compensation.
Contact one of our Accutane Attorneys today for a free confidential case evaluation.