Accutane®, a popular medicine used to treat severe acne, was recalled by Roche Holding AG in 2009. The drug, which was first marketed in 1982, has been linked to several serious medical problems. These side effects have been the subject of thousands of lawsuits against Roche.

If you or someone in your family was treated with Accutane® and have since suffered from adverse effects, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's Disease or ulcerative colitis, call 1-800-549-0970 to speak with an attorney about your right to financial compensation.

Roche Laboratories and Accutane® Drug

Roche did not cite these Accutane® side effects as a reason for their voluntary recall. Instead they blamed generic Accutane®, which was available at discounted prices, for making it financially unfeasible to continue selling the drug. However, Accutane® generic brands had been available since 2002, and it is likely that mounting evidence over Accutane® side effects were responsible.

Accutane® Side Effects

Some of the side effects associated with Accutane® include:

• Dry flakey skin, chapped lips, dry eyes and dry inner noses
• Birth defects and miscarriages in pregnant women
• Mood disorders including depression, loss of concentration, and irritability
• Suicidal thoughts or suicide

Accutane® Side Effect: Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Long-term Accutane® side effects include the development of gastrointestinal disorders including inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel disease includes two separate disorders, Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Both involve swelling, though in different areas of the intestines and digestive tracts. They include similar symptoms, including:

• Fever
• Abdominal Pain and cramping
• Weight loss
• Rectal Bleeding
• Blood or mucus in the stool
• Persistent and severe diarrhea
• Vomiting

Generic Version Still on the Market

While Roche Pharmaceuticals has pulled the drug Accutane®, it is still available in generic form. The active ingredient, Isotretinoin, is marketed in several drugs still on the market, including Amnesteem, Claravis, and Sotret. Like Accutane® these are available in several dosages, including 10mg, 20 mg and 40mg. These drugs involve the same risks and side effects that likely contributed to the Accutane® recall.

Contact an Accutane® Lawyer

If you or a loved one has experienced side effects related to Accutane® medicine, including inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis, you should immediately contact an experienced Accutane® attorney. It is likely that you took Accutane® in the past and time may be running out on your ability to receive compensation for your injuries.

Call 1-800-549-0970 or send us an email to schedule a free consultation with a qualified attorney for drug-related injuries.