Accutane Side Effects

Many patients have experienced serious adverse reactions following Accutane treatment and have filed Accutane lawsuits to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering caused by these side effects.

Accutane was a popular medication that was generally prescribed for the treatment of severe acne. Accutane was taken orally in pill form twice a day for approximately 15 to 20 days. The generic name for Accutane is isotretinoin. Though Roche Pharmaceuticals took Accutane off the market on June 29, 2009 the generic form may still be available under different brand names.

The FDA has determined that a black box warning must be on all isotretinoin products because of the harm it can cause in unborn children. Accutane has caused birth defects that include visual or hearing impairment, mental retardation, and even death.

Side Effects of Accutane

There are many side effects people who have taken Accutane have experienced. They include pain and swelling of lips, alopecia, vision problems, conjunctivitis, dry mouth, peeling of the skin, severe itching, and even nose bleeds. More severe side effects may include depression, violent behavior, suicide attempts, major birth defects, stroke, or seizures.

A U.S. Congressional investigation found that while Accutane was only approved for severe acne, many dermatologists were prescribing it to patients that were experiencing only mild acne. In fact, the findings showed that 90 percent of women, and half of the teens that were prescribed the drug only had mild acne. That is one of the causes of the controversy about Accutane.

About Accutane

A typical Accutane treatment lasted around five months, and resulted in remission of acne for approximately 85 percent of the people who were taking it. The FDA Consumer magazine stated that as powerful as the drug could be in improving patients’ lives, it could be just as serious by affecting the liver, eyes, ears, and causing psychiatric problems.

Many people who took Accutane stated that they experienced hair loss, and eyebrow or eyelash loss that lasted long after they stopped taking the medication. This happens because the medication has an impact on the oil glands on the body and causes the cells that provide the structure to the hair and skin to change. That change can lead to the hair and skin becoming frail and dry, which results in hair loss and even baldness.

Accutane Symptoms

Accutane has been linked to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohns Disease. These can be serious diseases if not detected early. Early detection can mean that the diseases can be managed with medications. Otherwise, the disease can result in surgery and long-term ongoing treatment. Some warning symptoms include:

Reported Side Effects of Accutane

If you have experienced serious side effects caused by Accutane and wish to receive additional information about your legal options, please call (888) 584-0411 or fill out the form on this page.