Accutane is prescribed mainly for adolescent patients for the treatment of severe acne that has been unresponsive to conventional treatment methods. Hoffman-LaRoche is the New Jersey pharmaceutical company that manufactured Accutane. The medication has numerous alternative names, including Amnesteem, Claravis and Sotret. Accutane is a form of vitamin A that, among other actions, inhibits oil glands from producing lubricant.

Side Effects of Accutane

Accutane has been under legal scrutiny related to side effects that range from mild to life threatening. The side effects associated with the medication are experienced in various areas of the body. Localized pain may indicate tissue damage and is experienced during and following therapy. Gastrointestinal symptoms include swallowing difficulty, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and rectal bleeding. Liver symptoms include dark urine, light-colored stools or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).

Accutane is prohibited during pregnancy as it can causes physical birth defects or affect the development of an infant’s internal organs.

Psychological Effects

Accutane has been linked to depression which may lead to suicidal ideations and suicide attempts along with aggressive or psychotic behavior.

Patients have also reported dizziness, headaches, lethargy and insomnia, which may be symptoms of underlying disease processes like heart attack, stroke or liver malfunction. These health risks have also been associated with Accutane use.

Accutane and Ulcerative Colitis

The medication has contributed to many gastrointestinal conditions, one of these being ulcerative colitis. Patients report symptoms upon starting Accutane, while others experience symptoms once the medication has been discontinued. The painful ailment occurs as the intestine becomes irritated and inflamed. As the disease progresses, ulceration and bleeding occurs and the bowel may rupture. Complications include severe anemia from blood loss. Malnutrition results as the colon attempts to repair itself with scar tissue and nutrients can no longer be absorbed. The condition can result in death.

Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms

Patients experience pain, diarrhea, constipation, bleeding, nausea, fever, vomiting, weight loss and fatigue.

Colon Removal

In advanced cases, hospitalization and surgery are required to remove part or all of the bowel and rectum due to tissue deterioration and infection. Depending on the condition and the amount of tissue that necessitates surgical removal, patients may be required to undergo an ostomy procedure to redirect waste material through the abdominal wall instead of the rectum.

Accutane Litigation

Numerous lawsuits against manufacturer Hoffman La Roche have resulted in punitive damages awarded to individuals suffering from medical conditions, contributable to Accutane, prior to documented warnings. Some of these conditions persist for an individual’s entire life, others require medical intervention for complications and some are life threatening.