Accutane birth defects apart, many Accutane attorney target isotretinoin side-effects when they want to initiate a lawsuit.
Accutane(Generic Name: isotretinoin) is a form of Vitamin A. It is a prescription pill given to help the skin renew itself faster, by controlling the amount of oil released by oil glands in the skin. Accutane is the last resort to treat severe nodular acne, especially after other medicines for acne treatment and antibiotics have been administered without much success. It is also used for the treatment of various types of cancers.
Important Accutane Information
First of all, NEVER TAKE Accutane if you are pregnant or trying to be one. Women of child-bearing age must mention in writing that they are taking birth control products, and have regular pregnancy tests before, during and after taking Accutane(Isotretinoin)
Accutane is obtainable only under an exclusive program called iPLEDGE. It is dangerous to buy Isotretinoin from the Internet or from vendors outside USA. Do not take other vitamin supplements that have vitamin A if you are taking this medication. Do not donate blood while you are taking this drug or for at least thirty days after you stopping taking it. Also do not take it if you are allergic to parabens or isotretinoin.
Accutane Birth Defects
Accutane can cause life threatening birth defects to the baby if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy. Even one dose is enough to cause serious birth defects in the baby’s ears, brain, eyes, face, skull and heart. So, let us reiterate do not take Isotretinoin if you are or trying to be pregnant.
What does the term women of child bearing potential or reproductive age mean: Women who get their periods and are not in menopause for at least 12 successive months in a row and have not had their uterus or ovaries removed in the form of total hysterectomy with oophorectomy, are considered women of child bearing age. So a negative pregnancy test 30 days prior to taking Accutane is mandatory. Also before every prescription refilling, the woman should take a pregnancy test, and after the last dose of the medication and even 30 days later. This pregnancy testing is mandatory by iPLEDGE
If you have taken Accutane and had unprotected sex, stop the medicine call your doctor at once. You can also call the iPLEDGE pregnancy registry at 1-866-495-0654 if you get pregnant after taking Accutane. As far as isotretinoin entering into breast milk is concerned, there are no conclusive tests but it is better to talk to your doctor if you are going to nurse the baby.
Side effects of Accutane
Accutane side effects can range from serious to light. So, if you notice any of these serious side effects, you can call the attention of your doctor quickly:
1. Hives
2. Swelling on the face, tongue, throat, lips etc.
3. Difficulty while breathing
4. Depression, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, numbness on one side of the body, agitation, weakness etc.
5. Blurred vision
6. Headaches
7. Vomiting
8. Seizure
9. Severe pain in the upper abdomen, moving on to the back
10. Appetite loss, clay colored stools, dark urine, jaundice
11. Fever, body ache, purple spots under the skin
12. Joint stiffness, red rash and peeling of skin
Not so serious side effects of Accutane
1. Dryness of the lips, nose, skin and mouth
2. Joint pain, back pain
3. Dizziness, drowsiness, nervous feeling
4. Cracking skin, itching, rash, fingernail or toenail change
You can report side effects of Accutane to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Dose Adjustment for Accutane’
This is required for people who have family history of mental illnesses, heart disease, osteoporosis, bone disorders, asthma, diabetes, eating disorder mainly anorexia nervosa and liver disease.
Accutane overdose
In case, there is an overdose, you may get symptoms like stomach pain, tingling under the skin, dizziness, vomiting, loss of balance etc. In that case, you can call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical help.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the. Overdose symptoms may include headache, dizziness, vomiting, stomach pain, warmth or tingling under the skin, swelling of the lips, and loss of balance or coordination.
Accutane Lawsuits
There is a black box with red stroke on the box of Accutane saying that it is unsafe for womenof child bearing age and that pregnant women must not take it. Bottom of Form
Roche Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Accutane, came under fire for Accutane lawsuits filed by patients who encountered side effects and other life threatening conditions.
In 2006, there was a report in the American Journal of Gastroenterology Accutane lead to inflammatory bowel disease, in the form of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. One of the Accutane lawsuits is about a woman who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis who was awarded $10.5 million award for physical pain and mental suffering that she stated in lawsuit that she field against the company. She was also awarded $78,500 for medical treatment after Accutane Attorneys were able to prove that there was a potential risk of inflammatory bowel disease due to isotretinoin. They charged that the company Roche Pharmaceuticals knew about it but did not inform this to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
By 2009-2010, 5000 personal injury lawsuits were filed against Roche Pharmaceuticals, stating that Accutane caused bowel related issues. Every so-called Accutane attorney were quick to cough up a lawsuit against Roche Pharmecuticals for psychiatric side effects, gastrointestinal problems and even suicide.
Finally in June 2009, Roche Pharmaceuticals pulled Accutane from the U.S. market. The company said that growing competition from the genetic market was the reason, it was evident that the sales declined due to growing Accutane lawsuits saying that the company did not give warning against the medication.
Accutane Lawsuit 2010:
Roche was asked by the court to pay in excess of $25 million to a man with inflammatory bowel disease that happened after taking Accutane.
