Lupus (used most often to mean systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] is a disease that can affect many diverse areas of the body. It is a chronic condition, although it can flare up, at times, then be practically absent at others.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease affecting an estimated 1.5 million people in the U.S. Autoimmune means that the immune system is fighting against one's own body, seeing parts of oneself as foreign, such as an infection, for example, that the body needs to rid itself of.

SLE is called a systemic disease because its effects can be body-wide. Some of the more severe effects can strike the body's organs. When this occurs, it may harm the:

• Kidneys — this is called lupus nephritis and interferes with our ability to remove waste from the blood. At times, lupus nephritis can require the patient to have dialysis or need a kidney transplant.
• Lungs — Increasing blood pressure in the lungs is known as pulmonary hypertension.
• Brain and nervous system — Inflammation can interfere with memory and result in headaches, confusion and stroke.
• Blood vessels in the brain — leading to high fever, seizures and changes in behavior.
• Arteries — Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the arterial walls accumulate plaque and can lead to a heart attack.

While the disease most often affects women between the ages of 15 and 44, it also can occur in children, teenagers and men. There are a number of forms of lupus, although SLE is the most common. Other forms of the disease are:

• Cutaneous lupus, which affects the skin and appears as a rash or sores.
• Drug induced lupus, caused by certain prescription drugs, that produce symptoms like those of lupus, but which usually go away after about six months of stopping the drug.
• Neonatal lupus, this form of the disease appears in the infants of mothers with SLE. This is an unusual disease that results from the mother's antibodies acting against the fetus. It usually is gone after a number of months and has no lingering effects.

Accutane® May Result in Lupus-Like Symptoms

More than 70 medications are known to produce lupus-like symptoms. Accutane® (isotretinoin) is among these. Prescribed to treat serious, nodular acne, Accutane® has certain side effects that resemble the symptoms of SLE. These may include:

• Inflammation of the blood vessels
• Sensitivity to sunlight
• Hair loss
• Fatigue
• Stroke

If you or someone you love has taken Accutane®, then had symptoms resembling those of lupus, you should consult an attorney experienced in dealing with patients who have these problems. Our Accutane® recall attorneys, who have Accutane®-lupus experience, would be happy to offer you a free consultation to find out more about your particular situation and the possibility of bringing a lawsuit against the manufacturer of Accutane®. For more information, contact our Accutane® recall lawyers today.