Accutane (isotretinoin) use by pregnant women is so likely to cause serious complications and birth defects that a special program was created to prevent pregnant women from using the drug and women who were using it from becoming pregnant. The program is called iPLEDGE. Accutane is no longer on the market, but isotretinoin is still available in generic form.

Women are advised to stop taking isotretinoin at least 30 days before becoming pregnant to avoid the risks addressed by iPLEDGE. However, Accutane poses another risk for women who would like to have children after they have stopped taking the drug. Accutane use has been linked to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

IBD does not go away when you stop taking Accutane. In most patients it is a life-long condition.

Studies have found that babies of mothers with IBD are twice as likely to be born prematurely, and more than twice as likely to be born below normal weight and also more than twice as likely to have birth defects. It appears that becoming pregnant during an active bout of IBD carries a higher risk than becoming pregnant when the disease is in remission.

If you or your loved one has suffered Accutane side effects such as IBD, you may be entitled to compensation. We urge you to contact an experienced Accutane lawyer as soon as you can. There may be time limits by which you must commence suit. Please contact an experienced Accutane lawyer in your area for more information.