Accutane Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Research studies have linked the use of Accutane to permanent inflammatory bowel disease in several patients. Accutane inflammatory bowel disease (“IBD”) results when the body’s immune system triggers an inflammatory reaction in the intestinal tract making it red and swollen. The inflammatory reaction damages the intestinal wall leading to diarrhea, often bloody, and abdominal pain.

Accutane Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two major forms of IBD. Each disease has different effects on the intestinal tract.

Accutane Ulcerative Colitis

Accutane and ulcerative colitis describes inflammation in the large intestine or colon and always involves the rectum. Varying degrees of the disease involve more of the colon. Symptoms include rectal bleeding, cramps, and diarrhea. Many Accutane ulcerative colitis patients may have long periods without symptoms. Ulcerative colitis increases the risk of colon cancer and is sometimes associated with inflammation in other parts of the body. Treatment involves medication and surgery.

Accutane Crohn’s Disease

Accutane and Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammation that affects the digestive tract. While it can affect any part from the mouth to the anus, it usually affects the small intestine and the area around the anus. Crohn’s disease may cause ulcers to form on the intestinal wall, and may penetrate deep affecting other areas of the bowel. Accutane Crohn’s disease problems result in severe symptoms such as malnutrition, obstruction in the digestive tract, and inflammation that may spread.

Accutane Lawsuit Information

While there is currently no Accutane class action lawsuit, several individuals have filed Accutane lawsuits as a result of the Accutane long term side effects discussed above. These Accutane side effects can be debilitating for a lifetime and do not subside when medication usage is stopped. In fact, in many patients, the disease did not show up until well after medication usage had ended.

Accutane, the brand name for a medication used to treat acne, is a synthetic form of vitamin A that works by essentially drying up acne. However, in the process other Accutane side effects occur directly related to the drying effect. These include dry and chapped lips, dry or bloody nose, irritated eyes, and dry skin. These side effects are the most common and cease when the use of the medication is stopped.

Patients who suspect they may be suffering from one of the Accutane inflammatory bowel diseases should see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. There are no known causes for any of the diseases, but Accutane use has been linked to the occurrence of all three diseases in patients.

The lawsuits concern inflammatory bowel disease, as well as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis depending on from what the patient suffers. An Accutane lawsuit involving Crohn’s or an Accutane ulcerative colitis lawsuit is generally based on a claim that the drug manufacturer, Hoffman La Roche, did not sufficiently warn patients of potential Accutane long term side effects.

If you have been diagnosed with one of the diseases discussed here, and you once took Accutane, you should consult a lawyer. Lawyers specializing in Accutane lawsuits can be found on the Internet.