Accutane and Autoimmune Disease

Accutane® (isotretinoin) is a powerful medication that is prescribed to treat severe acne. Its manufacturer, Roche, recalled it from the market in June 2009. The pharmaceutical company said they were withdrawing the medication for financial reasons, which might have been due to the many lawsuits patients were successfully bringing against the company for the serious side effects of Accutane.

Our immune systems work to protect us from foreign "invaders," such as bacteria or viruses. However, when an autoimmune disorder occurs, the body fails to recognize some of its own parts as "self" and attacks these parts as if they were foreign. The results can be severe and usually involve some form of inflammation.

Accutane® has been linked to a number of autoimmune diseases. Even when a patient stops taking the drug, the diseases may linger or be permanent. These may include:

Crohn's Disease, a serious disease affecting the colon, and thought to be associated with an autoimmune disorder. Crohn's disease cannot be cured. At times the symptoms subside. At other times, patients experience flare-ups when the painful symptoms recur. The disease is characterized by:

  • Abdominal cramps
  • Pain when passing stool
  • Watery diarrhea that doesn't go away
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Constipation
  • Pain of the joints
  • Sores in the mouth
  • Bleeding of the rectum
  • Bloody stools
  • Skin rashes
  • Swollen gums

Lupus, an autoimmune disorder, is also suspected of being linked to taking Accutane®. Some symptoms of lupus include:

  • Pain, stiffness or swelling of the joints
  • Fatigue
  • Skin sores that appear or get worse with exposure to the sun
  • Sores in the mouth
  • Bruising
  • Dry eyes
  • A rash over the cheeks and bridge of the nose

If you or someone you love has taken Accutane® and then been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, you have the right to be reimbursed for the pain and suffering caused by these serious disorders. Our Accutane recall lawyers who are experienced in representing such patients would be happy to offer you a free consultation