Accutane Lawsuit
Accutane is a medication that is prescribed to treat certain cases of acne. Unfortunately, for some people, this drug has also resulted in debilitating and sometimes life-threatening side-effects. If you have been harmed by the side-effects of Accutane, you should be aware of your legal rights. You may be able to obtain compensation in a court of law.
Accutane is actually the brand name that was chosen for marketing purposes for a drug known as isotretinoin. It was developed in the early 80’s by Hoffmann-La Roche, a Swiss pharmaceuticals company. Hoffman-La Roche’s patent on the drug expired in 2002. Since then, generic versions of this drug have flooded the market.
Most usually, Accutane is used to treat very severe cases of acne including a form of acne known as recalcitrant nodular. It is also prescribed for a few other skin conditions including skin cancer. The drug comes in pill form and is taken two times a day after meals. How Accutane works is still not completely known. However, it is suspected that it treats acne by decreasing the size and output of certain glands that cause the skin condition.
Unfortunately, the use of Accutane often comes with certain side effects, and some of these side-effects can even be life-threatening. One such side-effect is depression. A number of studies have produced evidence that suggests a strong link between the use of Accutane and clinical depression. There is also the possibility that use of the drug can lead to suicidal behaviors. 431 cases of suicide by patients who had taken Accutane were reported between 1982 and 2001.
Even more controversial is the fact that the use of Accutane can cause birth defects in unborn children. If a mother uses Accutane during pregnancy, the child may be born with mental retardation. The drug can also cause severe physical abnormalities in babies such as the malformation or absence of ear lobes. It can also cause children to have hearing and vision problems.
The use of Accutane may even be unwise for the age group most likely to have acne. It has been shown that Accutane can cause stunted growth. For children and teens that are still growing, this can be a serious problem. A number of reports state it may cause this side-effect by stopping the growth of bones in the legs and the arms.
The drug may also cause Crohn’s disease. This is a disease that can inflame the intestines and eventually become terminal. It may also cause ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a disease that inflames the bowels. This is a chronic disease that can be very painful and require surgical intervention.
Other side effects of Accutane can include back pain, dry eyes, dry skin, headaches, heightened liver enzymes, inflammation of the eyes, inflammation of the lips, muscle pain, nose bleeds, peeling of the skin, rashes, and rosacea. Side-effects that may be permanent and may persist even after one stops taking Accutane can include hair loss, joint pain, and huge ugly growths of scar tissue known as keloid scars.
Due to all these very troubling side-effects, there have been numerous lawsuits filed against the makers of Accutane. If you have incurred physical, monetary, or emotional damages from the use of this drug, you may be entitled to compensation through an Accutane lawsuit. If this is the case, you should contact an attorney to discuss your legal rights.
