Accutane use has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel disease refers to a group of disorders causing inflammation (becoming red and swollen) or ulceration of the digestive tract. These disorders may include:
- Ulcerative Colitis: an inflammatory disease of the colon (the large intestine). Characterized by inflammation and ulceration of the colon's inner-most lining. Symptoms typically include diarrhea (sometimes bloody) and abdominal pain. Ulcerative colitis affects only the colon.
- Crohn's Disease: Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, most commonly the end of the small intestine (the ileum) and the beginning of the large intestine (the colon). This disorder shares many of the same symptoms of Ulcerative colitis.
- Rectal Bleeding
It is important to note that people with various forms of inflammatory bowel disease have a significantly higher risk of developing colon cancer than the rest of the population.
The instances of inflammatory bowel disease in Accutane users have become so prevalent that the FDA required Hoffman La Roche to include the following in its Accutane warning labels:
"Accutane has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease/Ulcerative Colitis/Crohn's Disease/Rectal Bleeding in patients without a prior history of intestinal disorders. In some instances, symptoms have been reported to persist after Accutane treatment has been stopped."
The risks associated with taking Accutane are so great that the FDA has taken the remarkable step of requiring each dose of Accutane to come with a Medguide listing these side effects (the only other drugs to ever require a Medguide are Thalidomide and Mifeprex [mifepristone]). The following quote came directly from the FDA Medguide:
Symptoms may mean that your internal organs are being damaged. These organs include the liver, pancreas, bowel (intestines), and esophagus (connection between mouth and stomach). If your organs are damaged, they may not get better even after you stop taking Accutane. Stop taking Accutane and call your prescriber if you get severe stomach, chest or bowel pain, trouble swallowing or painful swallowing, new or worsening heartburn, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, yellowing of your eyes, or dark urine.
If you or a loved one have taken Accutane and have experienced any side effects including birth injuries, miscarriages, depression or even suicidal behavior, contact us immediately at 800-966-4999 and see why our law firm has recovered over $100 million on behalf of our clients.
