Accutane Blog

Hagens Berman Applauds $2 Million Verdict in Accutane Lawsuit

2011-04-11T07:20:00.000-07:00

Actor James Marshall's claim denied in same case

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., April 8, 2011-- Hagens Berman LLP, a nationally recognized law firm today praised a jury's verdict that ordered pharmaceutical company Roche (ROG:VX) to pay $2 million to a woman who suffered serious gastrointestinal damage caused by the drug Accutane, while denying similar claims of actor James Marshall and another plaintiff.

Accutane, along with its active ingredient, isotretinoin, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1982 to treat severe acne and became one of the biggest selling drugs for Roche with more than 16 million users. However, the drug's success has also been tainted by a history of more than 20 product-labeling modifications, FDA warning letters and litigation.

The woman, Gillian Gaghan, took the drug and developed serious complications, including ulcerative colitis and lupus-like symptoms, and has lost nighttime bowel control, court records show.

The seven-person jury concluded that the Swiss drug giant did not warn Gaghan of the risks associated with taking the drug, which led to her developing the ulcerative colitis.

James Marshall, an actor with a long list of film credits, claimed that the injuries he sustained using Accutane cut short his promising career, a claim substantiated by testimony of Martin Sheen and director Rob Reiner. The jury found that Marshall had a pre-existing condition and that Accutane was not a substantial factor in the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The jury agreed that Accutane was responsible for the third plaintiff's development of IBD, but Roche's failure to warn wasn't a factor in Kelley Andrews' decision to take the drug.

Hagens Berman currently represents more than 50 individuals who claim they developed irreversible side effects, including IBD, after taking Accutane. The firm was not involved in the Greenblatt v. Roche case, but Hagens Berman partner Robert Carey believes the jury's decision to hold Roche accountable gives hope to others who may have been harmed by the drug.

"We've spoken with hundreds of people who have been affected by Accutane, and without exception they tell us that if they knew of an increased risk of IBD they would have never used the medication," said Carey, who represents individuals in injury claims against Accutane. "Gaghan's case proves that our legal system works. We also intend to use litigation to help other individuals who were negatively affected by this drug to find justice."

This verdict marks the eighth lawsuit to go to trial since Roche was first charged with allegations linking Accutane to IBD and other intestinal diseases. Juries in all eight cases have issued verdicts against Roche, totaling $47 million in damages.
Roche currently faces more than 3,000 lawsuits that involve Accutane and bowel-disease claims.

In earlier cases, Roche was ordered to pay $7 million to a plaintiff in a 2007 verdict and $25.1 million to another plaintiff in a 2010 decision, and these cases are currently on appeal.

Roche, a Switzerland-based company with a manufacturing unit in New Jersey, still contends that the drug is safe, but the drug maker voluntarily pulled Accutane from the market in 2009.

"Our investigation raises concerns that Roche may have concealed certain side effects linked to Accutane in an attempt to maximize profits," said Carey. "We are also interested to speak with witnesses who may have more information about these claims."

Individuals who developed intestinal problems including IBD, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or other medical conditions believed to be linked to the acne drug after taking Accutane are encouraged to contact Hagens Berman for a personal consultation at 800-888-0088 or to visit www.accutanelawyers.com. Information provided to the firm will remain confidential.

About Hagens Berman

Seattle-based Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is one of the top class-action law firms in the nation, with offices in Boston, Chicago, Colorado Springs, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Founded in 1993, we represent plaintiffs in class actions and multi-state, large-scale litigation that seek to protect the rights of investors, consumers, workers and whistleblowers.

More information about the firm is available at www.hbsslaw.com.

Press Contact | Media Only
Mark Firmani
Firmani + Associates Inc.
206.443.9357
mark@firmani.com

What Should I Avoid if I am Taking Accutane?

2010-11-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

Some side effects of Accutane can be reduced or avoided by taking certain precautions. Be sure to ask your doctor about all necessary precautions while taking Accutane in order to minimize the likelihood of serious side effects.

Birth Defects
The most serious side effects of Accutane can be avoided completely by simply not becoming pregnant while you are taking the medication. If you are a woman of childbearing age, it is very important to use birth control while you are taking Accutane. In fact, for your doctor to prescribe Accutane for you, you must agree in writing to use both a primary form of birth control, such as birth control pills, and a secondary form such as condoms or spermicides. In addition, you should have a pregnancy test before you start taking the drug to be completely sure you are not pregnant. Birth defects caused by Accutane can be profound and even fatal to an unborn child.

Sun Sensitivity
Accutane can also cause abnormal sensitivity to sunlight, resulting in serious sunburn. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, wear protective clothing when outside, and also avoid tanning beds or other artificial ultraviolet rays. It is also important to avoid dermabrasion, laser skin treatments, or waxing for hair removal. Increased skin sensitivity can cause these treatments to leave serious scarring.

Other precautions include:

Do not take vitamin A supplements, or any vitamin supplement that includes vitamin A
Do not donate blood while taking Accutane, or for thirty days after the end of treatment
If you are breastfeeding, consult with your doctor before using Accutane

For more information about Accutane, pharmaceutical injuries, or what a pharmaceutical injury attorney can do for you, please contact a pharmaceutical injury lawyer in your area today.

More Than 400 Accutane Lawsuits Filed in the Last Two Months

2010-10-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

Accutane lawsuits are on the rise. In the past two months, more than 400 Accutane claims have been filed in a New Jersey mass tort litigation. All of these cases allege that the consumption of Accutane resulted in the development of serious side effects, including:

The plaintiffs have claimed that Roche Holding AG, the manufacturer of the popular acne medication, failed to adequately warn users of the serious side effects associated with the drug. Approximately 1,600 Accutane claims are currently pending in our legal system.

The recent increase in Accutane litigation is most likely due to a court ruling which established the timetable for the statue of limitations as starting at the time the injured victim discovered the association between Accutane usage and the development of a serious bowel condition.

In 2009, Roche recalled Accutane citing economic reasons as the impetus for their action. In particular, they noted the high cost of defending Accutane lawsuits as a deciding factor. The majority of Accutane lawsuits have gone in favor of the plaintiffs. Earlier this year, Roche was ordered to pay $25.16 million in damages to a patient who developed inflammatory bowel disease after taking Accutane. The condition ultimately resulted in the removal of the patient’s colon.

If you have developed a serious bowel condition from taking Accutane, the pharmaceutical injury lawyers at Hagens Berman can help you receive the compensation you deserve. We are a large national law firm with extensive experience in this complex area of law, and we will fight aggressively to ensure your rights are fully protected.

Please contact our Accutane lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation. Hagens Berman serves clients nationwide.

Lawsuits Related to Accutane

2010-10-08T11:13:00.000-07:00

Accutane, a vitamin A derivative, is very effective in treating the most severe forms of acne. However, it also brings with it a host of side effects, many of which are systemic.

The increasingly long list of side effects associated with Accutane has led the FDA to require a number of warnings to be distributed with the drug. In addition, because of the extreme danger to unborn babies whose mothers take Accutane, women must agree in writing to use two forms of birth control while using the drug and take a pregnancy test before beginning treatment.

Still, many people have suffered long-term and even permanent injury from this potent and dangerous medication. This has led to the filing of several class action lawsuits against the manufacturers of Accutane, seeking compensation for those who have been harmed by the drug.

What is a Class Action Lawsuit?
A class action suit differs from a standard lawsuit in that it represents a large number of people at once. Rather than filing an individual lawsuit for each person injured by Accutane, a single lawsuit is filed representing a group of people who have suffered similar injuries.

What Information Do I Need to Give a Lawyer for a Class Action Suit?
If you feel you have suffered injury from Accutane or any other drug, it’s important to provide as much information as you can for your pharmaceutical injury attorney, including:

When you took the drug
How long you took it, and what your dosage was
What injury you suffered
Whether you were taking the drug when the injury occurred
What professional help you sought for your injury

All this information can help your case, as well as those of other individuals who have suffered in the same way.

For more information about Accutane and related class action lawsuits, please contact a pharmaceutical injury attorney in your area today.

Accutane Class Action Suits

2010-09-07T09:34:00.000-07:00

While a very effective drug for use against severe acne, Accutane has also been linked to extremely serious side effects. Because of these side effects, several class action suits have been filed against the makers of Accutane.

Physical Side Effects of Accutane
The most serious side effect of Accutane is that it causes severe birth defects. This has led to stronger control of the drug among women. However, other side effects have also been linked to the drug, some of which are systemic and can be fatal.

Some physical side effects linked to Accutane include:

Crohn’s disease
Ulcerative colitis
Pancreatitis
Increased pressure in the brain
Liver damage
Skin damage

These side effects can lead to widespread, long-term problems that are difficult or even impossible to treat.

Psychological Side Effects of Accutane
Another major, very severe side effect that occasionally occurs with Accutane is severe depression. Some people who suffer from this side effect are led to violent behavior or suicidal thoughts, and some even commit suicide or attempt to commit suicide. Several class action lawsuits have been filed across the country by families of people, mostly adolescents, who killed themselves while being treated with Accutane.

If you have been treated with Accutane and have experienced any severe side effects, you might be entitled to compensation. Please contact a pharmaceutical injury attorney in your area as soon as possible to find out about your rights.

What Kind of Birth Defects are Associated with Accutane?

2010-08-16T13:43:00.000-07:00

Birth defects occur when the natural development of an unborn child is disrupted either as the result of natural genetic factors or because of a teratogenic agent—a substance known to cause birth defects—introduced into the mother’s system.

Birth Defects as a Side Effect of Accutane
Accutane is known to cause birth defects if used by pregnant women. In fact, children born to women who used Accutane during pregnancy are ten times more likely to suffer from abnormalities than under normal circumstances.

Birth defects linked to Accutane include:

Abnormal brain development
Cleft lip and/or palate
Heart defects
Severe mental retardation
Malformation of the ears and eyes

These birth defects often occur in the very early weeks of fetal development. Because women often do not know they are pregnant until the pregnancy is a bit further along, Accutane use is carefully controlled for women of childbearing age.

Limiting Accutane Use
To limit the occurrence of these often profound birth defects, Accutane is now only prescribed for women under a program called iPledge. In order to use Accutane, women of childbearing potential must have a pregnancy test before beginning treatment. They must also agree in writing to use both a primary and secondary form of birth control. If they have unprotected sex during treatment, or experience a late period or any other sign of possible pregnancy, they must immediately consult with their doctor.

For more information about Accutane or other drugs, please contact an experienced pharmaceutical injury attorney in your area today.

Still Time for an Accutane Claim

2010-07-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

Accutane (isotretinoin), an acne medication made by Hoffmann-La Roche, has many side effects. You may have taken Accutane a few years ago and have some of these side effects now, without realizing the connection. These are not minor side effects and they include inflammatory bowel disease, especially the forms of it known as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, your doctor may also not realize they are connected to Accutane. Of course your doctor knows the conditions and his concern is to help you alleviate them, but it may not have occurred to him to ask you if you ever took Accutane.

If you did take Accutane at some point and you do have one of these unpleasant conditions, you may be able to file a lawsuit against Hoffmann-La Roche. There is a two-year period of time allowed between taking the Accutane and making the link to your ulcerative colitis or other side effects.

Need a Formal Diagnosis
Legally, it would not be enough for you to just think you have one of these side effects. You would need to be properly diagnosed by a doctor. If you know that you took Accutane and wonder if you have ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or Crohn's disease, you should contact your doctor and ask him to examine you for a possible diagnosis.

You may have irritable bowel syndrome – that is not the same as inflammatory bowel disease. They have similar symptoms, but irritable bowel syndrome, also called spastic colon, does not have a clearly-known cause and it is a functional gastrointestinal disorder. Inflammatory bowel disease is the name for a group of conditions in the small and large intestines that are chronic.

If you are just finding out that your condition may be the result of having taken Accutane in the past, there is time for you to consult an attorney and file a lawsuit. So far, there have been seven Accutane verdicts, all favorable to the plaintiff, although one was overturned by an appeals court.

To contact an experienced Accutane lawyer in your area, please send us an email today.

Accutane Linked to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

2010-06-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

Inflammatory bowel disease refers to a family of systemic diseases that cause severe inflammation and ulceration in the intestines. Doctors are uncertain as to the cause of IBD, but it could be due to diet, environment, or genetics. Cases of IBD have also been linked to use of certain medications, including Accutane, an acne medication that carries a number of serious side effects.

Types of IBD

There are two major types of IBD: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine. Crohn's disease, which is more serious, typically affects the lower part of the small intestine as well as the large intestine, causing inflammation in deeper layers of the intestinal wall. IBD is not curable, but can be managed. Medications and dietary changes can reduce or eliminate symptoms for periods of time. Treatment focuses on preventing flare-ups, which are difficult to treat.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the different forms of IBD are similar, and include:

Diarrhea, often severe
Abdominal pain
Rectal bleeding
Bloody stool

Diarrhea with IBD can be severe enough to cause dehydration, which can lead to drops in blood pressure. Bleeding in the intestines can lead to anemia.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately. If you have any questions about inflammatory bowel disease and its connection to Accutane, please contact a pharmaceutical injury attorney in your area today for more information.

Roche and Organ Harvesting

2010-05-27T14:41:00.000-07:00

In January, 2010, Hoffmann-La Roche, maker of Accutane, received two "awards" in something called the Public Eye Awards. These anti-awards are granted to shame and bring public attention to large corporations that engage in unethical practices, according to the standards of Public Eye.

Roche received the award due to its testing of Cellcept in China. Cellcept is used in organ transplant recipients to suppress the immune system and help prevent rejection of transplanted organs.

About 90% of transplanted organs in China come from prisoners who have been executed. Both the World health Organization and the Transplantation Society are strongly opposed to harvesting organs from prisoners due to ethical concerns, such as lack of consent.

A Roche spokesperson has responded says that it does not have the right to know the origins of the organs. Those who oppose Roche's decision to conduct the tests in China say that the tests could be performed in countries that adhere to higher standards of transparency and accountability in the organ donation process.

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.

Accutane Settlement

2010-05-23T14:39:00.000-07:00

Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. discontinued Accutane in 2009, after losing several lawsuits over the side effects of the drug. It claimed that it pulled the drug due to competition from generic versions, not for safety reasons.

Now, Roche Laboratories has settled out of court with John Peipert for an undisclosed amount. Peipert brought a lawsuit against Roche alleging that Accutane use caused his inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Prior to the settlement with Peipert, Roche had already lost six lawsuits and paid $56 million dollars to victims. Earlier this year, Andrew McCarrell was awarded $25.16 million in damages for his Accutane-related injuries. McCarrell developed IBD after taking Accutane, leading to five surgeries including the removal of his colon.

IBD is a life-altering disease. It can require extensive medical treatment, and in most cases that treatment cannot cure the disease and return you to the lifestyle you enjoyed before IBD. Although Accutane is no longer available, its victims are still feeling the side effects and deserve compensation.

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.

Accutane, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Pregnancy Risks

2010-05-19T14:37:00.000-07:00

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.

Probiotics to Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease

2010-05-17T14:35:00.000-07:00

You have probably been hearing about the health benefits of probiotics for many years. Yogurt is often recommended as a dietary source. It may sound like another health fad, but good bacteria in the gut are necessary for good health. Without the beneficial gut flora, harmful bacteria and microorganisms flourish leading to disease.

In our hyper hygienic society, we kill off the good bacteria along with the bad. Chlorinated water, antibiotics, and the processes through which we put our foods, all contribute to a lack of beneficial bacteria in our digestive systems. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease, and other autoimmune diseases are rarely found in developing and Third World countries.

Recent studies have found that substances produce by certain strains of healthy gut bacteria act as an anti-inflammatory, improving the symptoms of IBD. However, people with IBD tend to be deficient in the bacteria that could help them. Now researchers are trying to identify the strains of bacteria that can both produce the anti-inflammatory substance and flourish in the digestive systems of people with IBD.

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.

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

2010-05-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a serious condition involving the lower portions of the digestive tract. While the cause of IBD is uncertain in most cases, it can occur as a side effect of Accutane. IBD generally refers to two particular conditions: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation of the inner lining of the large intestine. This inflammation leads to ulcers along the intestinal wall. Symptoms include:

Severe abdominal pain
Bloody stool
Frequent diarrhea
Rectal bleeding

Treatment includes medication and dietary changes to reduce flare-ups. Ulcerative colitis never totally goes away, but can be kept in remission with appropriate treatment.

Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease can affect any part of the intestines, but most commonly occurs in the lower part of the small intestine, as well as in the large intestine. It affects not only the intestinal lining, but causes inflammation in the entire intestinal wall, into layers much deeper than those affected by ulcerative colitis. Crohn's cannot be cured, but can be managed to reduce the severity of symptoms.

Accutane, a powerful medication used to treat severe acne, has been linked to cases of inflammatory bowel disease. If you have suffered IBD or any other severe side effects from a medication, please contact a pharmaceutical injury attorney in your area today for more information on possible compensation.

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2010-04-27T09:29:00.001-07:00

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What is the FDA Drug Approval Process?

2010-04-08T08:21:00.000-07:00

While no drug is completely without side effects, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) takes every drug through a long, complex process of approval before allowing it to be made available for general use. This approval process is meant to ensure that the benefits of a drug significantly outweigh the risks, and that the drug truly is effective for the condition it is meant to treat.

The Process of Approval
Before it can be approved for general use, the drug is subjected to a variety of trials, from laboratory trials to animal testing to long-term testing on humans under strict FDA oversight. The full approval process can take as long as eight to twelve years.

FDA testing occurs in three phases:

Phase 1-the drug is tested on healthy volunteers to determine overall safety and various side effects
Phase 2-the drug is tested on a few hundred patient volunteers to determine its effectiveness
Phase 3-the drug moves into a large-scale trial on several hundred to several thousand patients to further determine results and adverse effects

Once this testing is completed, the FDA still has to make a final approval on the drug. This final review alone can take over two years.

Dangerous Drugs
In spite of the rigorous testing, some drugs that receive approval later prove to have dangerous and even deadly side effects. Often this is because, even in the last phase of testing, the number of people tested represents only a tiny percentage of the overall population.

If you have suffered severe side effects from any kind of medication, please contact a pharmaceutical injury attorney near you for more information on how you might be able to receive compensation.

What Is the FDA's Role in Approving Drugs?

2010-03-10T08:20:00.000-08:00

Before a drug can go into general distribution in the US, it must undergo a lengthy approval process through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This process involves several levels of testing for safety and effectiveness. Any risks are noted, and if the benefits of the drug significantly outweigh the risks, the drug is likely to be approved.

Levels of Testing
A new drug typically undergoes three years or more of testing in the laboratory before application is made to the FDA to begin the approval process. The FDA process can take as long as another eight years.

FDA testing uses three phases of clinical trials, each one involving a larger sample group to determine the drug's effectiveness:

Phase One-20-80 healthy volunteers, process takes about one year
Phase Two-100-300 patient volunteers, process takes about two years
Phase Three-1000-3000 patients, process takes about three years

After this testing is complete, the company developing the drug can submit an application to the FDA for approval. This process takes another two and a half years on average. The complete cost of the approval process averages $350 million.

The FDA uses this complex process to ensure drugs work as advertised, and that drugs that go on the market are accompanied by sufficient documentation of any possible risks or precautions.

In spite of the FDA's rigorous approval process, some drugs on the market still lead to serious and even deadly side effects. If you have suffered from serious side effects due to a prescription drug, please contact a pharmaceutical injury attorney in your area for more information about possible compensation.

What Does a Pharmaceutical Injury Attorney Do?

2010-02-09T08:19:00.000-08:00

Continued research and knowledge regarding treating various illnesses and conditions have led scientists to develop numerous medications for conditions that previously were very difficult or even impossible to treat. Unfortunately, some of these medications, even while effective, have proven to cause serious side effects. In these situations, a pharmaceutical injury attorney can help affected individuals get compensation for their injuries.

Class Action Suits
Many pharmaceutical injury lawsuits involve class action suits, in which a group of people is represented in a case rather than a single individual. Accutane is a dangerous acne drug that led to large class action lawsuits. Often, more than one person will experience the same injuries from a particular drug, and an attorney will pool information about the symptoms, causes, and other specifics in order to make a case.

If you need to contact a pharmaceutical injury attorney, it is important to know:

The type of drug and dosage you were taking
The exact side effects you experienced and their severity
Any medical attention you received for the side effects

This information will be helpful for your case as well as in compiling information to prove the drug is dangerous.

If you have suffered severe side effects from a drug prescribed by your doctor, you might need help from a qualified and experienced pharmaceutical injury attorney. Please contact an experienced attorney in your area today for more information about possible compensation.

What is a Pharmaceutical Litigation Attorney?

2010-01-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

In spite of the rigorous approval process employed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some drugs certified as safe can still result in serious side effects. These side effects can lead to irreversible damage and even death. When people suffer injury or illness, or even lose a loved one due to dangerous drugs, a pharmaceutical litigation attorney can help them receive compensation for their injuries.

How to Find a Pharmaceutical Litigation Attorney
If you are in need of a pharmaceutical litigation attorney, be sure to do some research before making a decision. While many attorneys handle this kind of case, it is important to find someone who is not only familiar with the pharmaceutical litigation process, but who is also familiar with the drug which has caused your injuries. For example, if you have suffered serious side effects due to using Accutane to treat acne, a lawyer who is familiar with existing lawsuits involving Accutane will be much better equipped to help you make a case.

Filing a Pharmaceutical Injury Lawsuit
If you feel you might be entitled to compensation due to harmful side effects from a drug, it is important to keep track of certain information that will be useful to your pharmaceutical injury attorney. Be sure to make note of:

The type of drug you were taking
The dosage and quantity you were prescribed
The side effects you experienced
Whether you experienced side effects while taking the drug or shortly thereafter

This information could be vital in not only making a case for yourself, but in collecting information about dangerous side effects that could help those seeking compensation later, or for organizations who keep records of dangerous drug reactions.

If you have suffered severe side effects while taking Accutane or any other prescription medication, please contact a pharmaceutical injury attorney in your area today for more information about your rights and possible compensation.

The Dangers of Accutane

2009-12-20T12:07:00.000-08:00

While Accutane is very effective in treating severe acne, it also carries with it a host of dangerous side effects. Because of the drug's effectiveness, it was for a time prescribed for moderate as well as severe acne, leading to a wider occurrence of serious reactions to the drug.

Most Common Side Effects of Accutane
The most commonly occurring side effects linked to Accutane include:

Severe birth defects
Increased risk of sunburn
Depression, including thoughts of suicide
Inflammatory bowel disease

The occurrence of birth defects in unborn children is the most severe side effect of Accutane. These birth defects can be profound and even fatal. Because of this, Accutane is now only prescribed under very controlled circumstances. Women of childbearing potential who take Accutane must agree to use two forms of birth control, and must take a pregnancy test before beginning treatment.

Avoiding the Dangers of Accutane
In addition to diligent birth control, other precautions can help reduce the possibility of dangerous side effects. Avoiding sunlight or artificial ultraviolet rays, such as in a tanning bed, can help reduce the danger of severe sunburn. It is also important not to take vitamin A supplements or any supplements that include this vitamin. Since Accutane is a derivative of vitamin A, additional vitamin A can increase the risk of side effects.

If you have experienced severe side effects after taking Accutane, a pharmaceutical injury attorney can help. For more information about Accutane or other drugs, please contact an experienced pharmaceutical injury attorney in your area.

How is Accutane Dangerous?

2009-11-19T12:06:00.000-08:00

Accutane, a powerful anti-acne medication, has been linked to a number of severe side effects, including profound birth defects. Because of this, its use has been limited to treating severe acne that does not respond to any other treatment. Female patients of childbearing age must use birth control while using Accutane, and undergo pregnancy testing before beginning treatment.

Why is Accutane Dangerous?

Accutane is a derivative of vitamin A. Like many vitamins, vitamin A causes serious toxic reactions when taken in large quantities. The side effects of Accutane are similar to those of vitamin A toxicity.

In addition to birth defects, side effects linked to Accutane include:

Sensitivity to sunlight
Gastrointestinal problems, sometimes severe
Hair loss
Depression

While Accutane is intended for use only with severe acne, its effectiveness led doctors to prescribe it for moderate acne, as well, causing side effects to become more widespread. Accutane usage by women who could become pregnant was not as strictly controlled or monitored, either, so Accutane-related birth defects also became more common.

Accutane Lawsuits

The occurrence of severe side effects linked to Accutane has led to the drug's being carefully restricted. It has also led to the filing of several pharmaceutical injury suits against the drug's manufacturers. If you have suffered from side effects due to Accutane, you may need the assistance of a lawyer. For answers to any questions you may have about Accutane or other drugs, please contact a pharmaceutical injury attorney in your area as soon as possible.

What is Accutane and How is it Used?

2009-10-20T15:02:00.000-07:00

A powerful treatment for otherwise untreatable acne, Accutane is a vitamin A derivative that often eliminates serious acne after a single five- to six-week course of treatment. Unfortunately, Accutane has also been linked to severe side effects.

Prescribing Accutane

Accutane was developed to treat severe acne that does not respond to traditional treatments such as antibiotics and topical creams. However, due to its effectiveness, doctors began to prescribe it more often for less severe acne. This wider usage made side effects more common. Because the side effects can be so severe, a number of class action and pharmaceutical injury suits have been filed against the makers of Accutane.

Accutane Side Effects

The side effects of Accutane are similar to that of high vitamin A toxicity. The most severe of these affect unborn babies if their mothers use Accutane. Profound birth defects can result if Accutane is taken during pregnancy, including damage to the eyes, ears, face, and brain.

Other side effects linked to Accutane include:

Inflammatory bowel disease
Sensitivity to sunlight
Depression, including suicidal thoughts

The occurrence and severity of side effects are directly related to the dosage frequency and amounts, so the larger the dosage, the more likely side effects are to occur, and the more severe they are likely to be.

An experienced pharmaceutical injury attorney in your area can give you additional information about Accutane or any other prescription medications. For answers to your questions about pharmaceutical litigation, please contact a pharmaceutical injury attorney today.

What is Accutane?

2009-09-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

Acne is a common affliction during puberty and usually comes and goes without major side effects. However, some forms of acne, especially nodular acne, can leave behind severe scarring. Unfortunately, the usual treatments, including antibiotics, have little effect on this form of acne.

Accutane is a drug used specifically to treat severe cases of nodular acne that do not respond to antibiotics or other treatments. It is very effective, usually producing dramatic results in four to six months of treatment.

Side Effects of Accutane

A derivative of vitamin A, Accutane can cause severe side effects, much as vitamin A can if taken in very large doses. Most notably, Accutane has been shown to cause severe birth defects. Because of these known side effects, Accutane is strictly regulated, and female patients must use birth control while taking the drug.

Other serious side effects that have been linked to Accutane include:

Sensitivity to sunlight
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's and ulcerative colitis
Depression, including suicidal thoughts
Headache

Some side effects of Accutane can prove permanent, or lead to permanent problems. Because of the severe nature of these side effects, the FDA has placed strict warnings on the drug, and several class action and personal injury suits have been filed against the makers of Accutane.

If you have suffered severe side effects while taking Accutane or any other medication, please contact an experienced pharmaceutical injury attorney in your area for more information about possible compensation for your injuries.

Welcome

2009-02-10T09:06:00.000-08:00

Welcome