Lawsuits Accumulating for Accutane after a Study Reveals its Side Effects

Accutane, a prescribed drug, is manufactured by Hoffman La Roche Pharmaceutical Company. Accutane or isotretinoin (generic name) is a medicine that is prescribed for acne treatment, especially the nodular acne, a severe form of acne. A large number of lawsuits that have been filed since a study revealed that Accutane can cause certain bowel diseases. Patients suffering from side effects of Accutane have been alleging that they were not provided the right information, in which case they might have avoided the use of the drug or taken an alte
ative.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Accutane to be used for treating acne in 1982. In late 80’s controversy regarding Accutane came into limelight. Accutane was shown to cause birth defects in some patients who were pregnant and expecting a baby. A warning was added on its label regarding these side effects. Later, Accutane was allegedly reported to cause psychiatric problems that could lead to severe forms of depression and even suicide. Accutane was further linked with inflammatory bowel disease. Bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis were shown to be either aggravated or caused by Accutane.

Once the side effects were reported, many lawsuits were filed against its manufacturer Roche, alleging that it did not provide sufficient warning to patients about its severe side effects. The drug was recalled from markets in 2009, as a result of lawsuits that alleged Roche to be responsible for patients’ worsening conditions. After its recall Roche stopped its production. However, different pharmaceutical companies are still manufacturing its generic versions.

Though Accutane was recalled from market, many people who used it prior to its recall are still suffering from its severe side effects. Hence, the lawsuits continue to be filed against the manufacturers. Till now jury have awarded around $55 million in different personal injury lawsuits against Roche, as compensation for Accutane side effects. Roche has been arguing over many of the accusations, yet lawsuits have not ceased to grow in volume.

Apart from birth related defects, many Accutane lawsuits have been filed as one more study revealed that Accutane and generic Accutane can cause inflammatory bowel disease. As per the report, it exposes patients to 4 times the risk of developing ulcerative colitis than patients using alte
atives. This study was published in the American journal of Gastroenterology. The study shows that there is practical data regarding isotretinoin causing inflammatory bowel disease.

For Lawsuit Related Information, please read the Accutane Lawsuit Articles.