Accutane or isotretinoin is an acne medication that is prescribed by dermatologist to treat severe acne. There are numerous serious side effects associated with the use of Accutane. In 2005 the maker of Accutane, Roche Pharmaceuticals, updated the label to warn patients and healthcare professionals of an increased risk of suicide associated with the medication.

In 2007 Accutane underwent another label revision to inform patients that the drug been shown to cause an increased risk of birth defects and miscarriage when taken by pregnant women. The FDA has also warned patients to never purchase Accutane over the internet as this method of procurement bypasses important procedures that ensure the drug is being taken safely.

In more recent news Accutane has been linked to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Research has shown that patients taking Accutane are at an increased risk of developing IBD. A 2006 article published in the prestigious American Journal of Gastroenterology suggested that patients should be made aware of the increased risk.
Irritable Bowel Disease includes serious and extremely painful conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Since Accutane’s approval in 1982 there have been numerous reports of the presciption acne medication being linked to IBD.

The most conclusive study to date determined that between 1997 and 2002 a total of 85 suspected cases Accutane related IBD were reported. Through the use of a standard drug reaction probability scale researchers deemed that in four of the cases there was “highly probable” indication that Accutane was the cause of IBD. In another 58 cases Accutane was deemed as the “probable” cause of IBD, while no cases were graded as Accutane as being the “doubtful” cause of IBD.

If you or a loved is suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease and have taken the prescription acne medication Accutane, we can help. Call us today for a free case evaluation by one our experienced dangerous drug attorneys.