Accutane is the trade name used by Roche Pharmeceuticals for their formulation of the generic drug isotretinoin. Accutane is used to treat moderate to severe acne. Accutane was introduced in the early 1980s and was immediately hailed as a "miracle cure" for acne problems. However, serious side effects soon appeared, and Roche finally pulled the drug from the market in 2009. Accutane side effects include severe birth defects, suicidal tendencies, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Accutane was first created to treat brain and pancreatic cancer. However, it was soon found that Accutane was very effective in treating stubborn acne that had been resistant to other forms of treatment. Accutane has been especially effective in treating potentially lethal skin disease such as ichthyosis and in curing certain forms of acne that were not responsive to other drugs.

However, the side effects of Accutane have been serious enough to force Roche to issue a general recall of all forms of the drug, although some is still available in Europe to be used under very controlled conditions managed by a dermatological specialist. Many people have used Accutane and its generic forms only to discover that they developed medical problems much worse than the acne the drug was prescribed to treat.

One of the most common side effects of Accutane use, prevalent in up to ten percent of those who took the drug, is anemia. Anemia is a medical condition that affects the red blood cells and can cause serious health problems. Accutane has also been blamed for a high incidence of both thrombocytopenia, or low platelet count, and thrombocytosis, or high platelet count. Either of these diseases affects the blood’s ability to clot, and can cause life-threatening problems for patients.

Another very common side effect of Accutane use is eye problems. Up to ten percent of users report dry eye, conjunctivitis or "pink eye," and eye irritation. A large number of patients also experience skin problems such as dermatitis, dry skin, itching, and skin fragility. Accutane has also been linked to an increase of trigylcerides and a lowering of HDL or "good" cholesterol, as well as back pain.

Less common side effects include increased blood glucose and blood cholesterol, nasal dryness and infection, headache, and a decrease in white blood cells. At least one percent of users report these problems. Even more rare are bacterial infections, diabetes, suicidal behavior and depression, convulsions, color blindness, impaired hearing, lung spasms, nausea, gastrointestinal hemorrhaging, hepatitis, and serious skin problems. These affect about .1 percent of users.

The most serious side effects of Accutane use can be life-changing and life-threatening. Birth defects are observed in a high number of pregnant women using Accutane, and the drug can also stop bone growth in teenagers.

If you have suffered from the use of Accutane, contact a personal injury attorney immediately to discuss your case. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other costs of treatment. However, your time to file a claim is limited, so do not wait; talk to a professional personal injury lawyer immediately.

Accutane is the trade name used by Roche Pharmeceuticals for their formulation of the generic drug isotretinoin. Accutane is used to treat moderate to severe acne. Accutane was introduced in the early 1980s and was immediately hailed as a "miracle cure" for acne problems. However, serious side effects soon appeared, and Roche finally pulled the drug from the market in 2009. Accutane side effects include severe birth defects, suicidal tendencies, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Accutane was first created to treat brain and pancreatic cancer. However, it was soon found that Accutane was very effective in treating stubborn acne that had been resistant to other forms of treatment. Accutane has been especially effective in treating potentially lethal skin disease such as ichthyosis and in curing certain forms of acne that were not responsive to other drugs.

However, the side effects of Accutane have been serious enough to force Roche to issue a general recall of all forms of the drug, although some is still available in Europe to be used under very controlled conditions managed by a dermatological specialist. Many people have used Accutane and its generic forms only to discover that they developed medical problems much worse than the acne the drug was prescribed to treat.

One of the most common side effects of Accutane use, prevalent in up to ten percent of those who took the drug, is anemia. Anemia is a medical condition that affects the red blood cells and can cause serious health problems. Accutane has also been blamed for a high incidence of both thrombocytopenia, or low platelet count, and thrombocytosis, or high platelet count. Either of these diseases affects the blood’s ability to clot, and can cause life-threatening problems for patients.

Another very common side effect of Accutane use is eye problems. Up to ten percent of users report dry eye, conjunctivitis or "pink eye," and eye irritation. A large number of patients also experience skin problems such as dermatitis, dry skin, itching, and skin fragility. Accutane has also been linked to an increase of trigylcerides and a lowering of HDL or "good" cholesterol, as well as back pain.

Less common side effects include increased blood glucose and blood cholesterol, nasal dryness and infection, headache, and a decrease in white blood cells. At least one percent of users report these problems. Even more rare are bacterial infections, diabetes, suicidal behavior and depression, convulsions, color blindness, impaired hearing, lung spasms, nausea, gastrointestinal hemorrhaging, hepatitis, and serious skin problems. These affect about .1 percent of users.

The most serious side effects of Accutane use can be life-changing and life-threatening. Birth defects are observed in a high number of pregnant women using Accutane, and the drug can also stop bone growth in teenagers.

If you have suffered from the use of Accutane, contact a personal injury attorney immediately to discuss your case. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other costs of treatment. However, your time to file a claim is limited, so do not wait; talk to a professional personal injury lawyer immediately.

The anti-acne medication, Accutane, has been linked to the development of a gastrointestinal condition that results in painful and often debilitating symptoms. However, California Accutane injury lawyers have also found that Accutane use can result in a number of other lesser-known side effects.

For instance, several studies have indicated that people who use Accutane may suffer psychiatric side effects. These effects can include suicidal tendencies and suicidal fantasies. In fact, Roche, the maker of Accutane, has faced lawsuits from families of people who committed suicide after Accutane use.

The link between Accutane and psychiatric disorders is so strong that many doctors do not prescribe Accutane to persons who suffer from depression. Besides, Accutane has also been linked to a number of other conditions, including aggression and mood swings.

Inflammatory bowel disease is one of the most well-known and most serious side effects of Accutane use. There are two types of inflammatory bowel disease - ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The effects of ulcerative colitis are limited to the colon, while Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. The general symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease include abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and loss of appetite. The loss of appetite and diarrhea can lead to malnutrition and the development of nutritional disorders like anemia.

People who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease can quickly develop complications, like bleeding from the ulcers, and bowel perforation. People who suffer from ulcerative colitis are also at a higher risk of developing cancer than the general population.

Not all the side effects of Accutane are debilitating. There are a number of minor side effects that may not be dangerous, but do affect the person's quality of life. These include headaches, constipation, and joint pain.

The number of Accutane lawsuits being filed in the state of New Jersey continues to grow with each passing day. Totals at the end of July suggest that the number of cases filed is up nearly 40% since April of 2011 alone. This is not only a testament to how widespread the use of the once-popular acne medication was, but also to how significant and lasting its side effects remain today.

Accutane, made by Hoffman-LaRoche, was used for years to treat cases of severe acne.  The drug became very popular until it was linked to causing Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) including Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (UC).  Now thousands of plaintiffs are seeking compensation for their medical bills and treatment of such painful and life-altering diseases.  If you or someone you know has taken Accutane and has experienced such side effects, contact seasoned defective drug attorneys immediately for a free consultation.

The link between anti-acne medication Accutane and gastrointestinal disorders has been well documented and has been the subject of several lawsuits filed by Accutane injury lawyers. However, the link between the same drug and suicide risks has been the subject of some debate.

There have been studies that have shown a higher risk of committing suicide, suicidal tendencies or suicidal fantasies in Accutane users. Critics insist that there is no clear link between the use of Accutane and increased suicidal tendencies. However, a new study again points to the possibility that Accutane does increase the risk of suicide among users.

The researchers examined 5,756 Accutane users between 15 and 40 years. The patient had been prescribed Accutane between 1980 and 1990. Out of these patients, 128 attempted suicide, and were admitted to a hospital on 210 occasions. 24 of the patients committed suicide. The researchers have concluded that there is an increased risk of suicide from using Accutane or generic versions of Roche’s anti-acne drug.

However, researchers have been unable to conclude whether the increased suicide risk is because of the severity of the acne itself, or a side effect of the medication. For instance, they have not been able to conclude whether the increased suicide risk is because of the psychological distress and pressure, lower self-esteem and confidence issues that come with suffering from acne, or is the result of side effects of the drug.

However, the link between Accutane and gastrointestinal disorders like Irritable Bowel Disease has been firmly established. Prolonged use of Accutane has resulted in the development of symptoms of ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and other manifestations of Irritable Bowel Disease in long-term users. Some of these patients have suffered severe and debilitating physical injuries, and have even been forced to undergo surgery to remove parts of the colon.