Accutane Lawsuits Over Enduring Side Effects

It might surprise a number of people, even Accutane patients, that the Acne drug Accutane was originally intended to be a drug that fights cancer. The active ingredient, isotretinoin, stops cancer cells from dividing. It also helps fight acne because it prevents cells from dividing. However, as a chemotherapy drug, it has a certain number of side effects. Family and friends of cancer patients who have had to undergo chemotherapy may have noticed side effects like hair loss and vomiting; this is because medications like this are not able to differentiate by fast-multiplying cells like cancer cells and fast-multiplying cells like hair cells and cells that coat the stomach lining. Therefore, it can come with a significant number of side effects. This is also the case with Accutane—a number of patients have experienced serious side effects.

While some patients have experienced suicidal thoughts and depression, which are the most common side effects that involved in Accutane lawsuits by Accutane Lawyers are those related to Accutane inflammatory bowel disease. With that Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis have been reported by a number of patients too.

—and unlike a number of side effects, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s along with other inflammatory bowel diseases do not have a cure. They can be treated, but it is likely that patients will be feeling the effects for the rest of their lives. Most inflammatory bowel disease patients will experience side effects and complications for the rest of their lives; a number will have to have surgery in order to remove a part of their gastrointestinal system if the symptoms are severe. Most patients will have to endure multiple hospitalizations and symptoms for years.

With all these side effects people might wonder why anyone would use the medication. However, it must be understood that not everyone experienced these negative side effects—a number of people were actually relieved of severe acne symptoms that could not be treated with any other method, such as topical ointments or antibiotics. Acne is a serious and potentially debilitation condition that can destroy a patient’s self-esteem, and Accutane has indeed helped a number of patients with severe acne. However, it has also harmed a number of patients in serious ways.