Accutane Lawyer Helping Dangerous Drug Victims

According to information from the U.S. Department of Health, more than half of all Americans regularly take some prescription drug. And more than 15% take three or more drugs. If you regularly take prescription medications, you should be aware of the possible side effects and potential dangers.

Important News for Accutane Users

While most prescription medicines are relatively safe, there are many drugs either currently on the market or recently recalled which have severe or sometimes fatal side effects. Accutane is one of those drugs and is currently the subject of personal injury lawsuits. It is estimated that approximately 13 million Americans have taken Accutane.

Accutane, the brand name of the drug isotretinoin, manufactured by Roche Pharmaceuticals, is prescribed primarily for treatment of severe acne. It is considered a “last resort” drug – prescribed only when other medications have been ineffective. While all prescription drugs have some side effects—mostly mild—there have been numerous reports of some severe effects of taking Accutane. There are indications that as early as the 1980s that a possible link between Accutane and bowel problems was discovered. And yet the manufacturer continued to market the drug for nearly another 30 years.

If you or someone you know has taken Accutane or its generic equivalent, you should know that you may be at risk for development of:

• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Impaired liver function and liver damage
• Depression, including suicidal thoughts
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Allergic reactions resulting in liver disease
• Birth defects for unborn children, some of which may be fatal, if the drug is taken by pregnant women
• Seizures
• Stroke
• Blood vessel damage
• Difficulty regulating blood sugar levels – of special concern for diabetics
• Impaired wound healing
• Violent and aggressive behavior
• Psychosis
• Loss of bone mass and weakening of bones

In addition to these severe side effects, Accutane users also may experience weight loss, thinning hair or hair loss, severely dry or thinning skin which may make cuts or bruises slower to heal, sudden onset of vision impairment at night, and menstrual problems. If you are or have been an Accutane user and are concerned about any effects on your body, you should discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

Accutane has a long history of controversy due to the serious side effects users have experienced. Due in part to personal injury lawsuits being filed against it by Accutane users, Roche removed Accutane from the market in 2009. However, the generic form of the drug is still being sold, as well as marketed under the brand names such as Claravis, Sotret, and Amnesteen.

At Lord & Faris we are concerned with helping Minneapolis area individuals who have sustained personal injuries from prescription drugs and medical devices. We would be happy to discuss your situation with you. Please call today for a free consultation at one of our two convenient Twin Cities offices.