Accutane Lawsuit

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Side effects of Accutane, a popular acne medication that is available as a generic, have been linked to increased risk of serious and debilitating bowel problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis.

STATUS OF ACCUTANE LAWSUITS: Plaintiffs have been awarded millions of dollars in compensation in the first Accutane bowel disease lawsuits to go to trial in the United States, and hundreds of other cases are still pending. In addition, Accutane lawyers are continuing to review new cases for individuals who used the medication and were diagnosed with:

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Crohn’s Disease

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>>SUBMIT INFORMATION ABOUT AN ACCUTANE LAWSUIT<<

OVERVIEW: Accutane (isotretinoin) was developed in 1982 for the treatment of severe acne. It has been used by more than 16 million people worldwide before an Accutane recall was issued in June 2009, and the brand name medication was discontinued. Roche cited the cost of defending against Accutane lawsuits as a factor in their decision to stop selling the name brand of the medication in the U.S. Accutane continues to be available as a generic sold under a variety of names, such as Claravis, Sotret, Amnesteem and generic isotretinoin.

There are nearly 1,000 lawsuits over Accutane pending in state and federal courts. All of the Accutane suits include allegations that the drug maker failed to adequately warn users about potential Accutane side effects. The company lost the first six cases that went to trial so far, with verdicts totaling $56 million. Roche has also reached Accutane settlements in other lawsuits for undisclosed amounts.

ACCUTANE SIDE EFFECTS: Accutane has been linked to conditions similar to vitamin A toxicity which appears to be dosage related. Scientific studies have suggested that Accutane adverse reactions could include:

  • Birth defects
  • Depression
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Ulcerative colitis.

ACCUTANE BOWEL PROBLEMS: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the name for a group of digestive disorders that includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and have been linked to Accutane. IBD impacts the intestinal tract and affects about 4 million people world wide.

Crohn’s disease affects all layers of the intestinal wall in the small and large intestines, as well as other digestive organs and can cause parts of the intestines to narrow, cause the formation of abnormal tunnels between digestive organs, and cause fissures in the anal skin. Ulcerative colitis affects the inner lining of the colon and rectum, causing them to become inflamed. There is no cure for either disease. However medication and surgery are options which can be effective in treating these ailments.

ACCUTANE STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME: In February 2010, Health Canada reported that it had received reports of severe skin reactions, including sometimes fatal reaction known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome from Accutane. At least 66 reports of Accutane skin reactions were identified by Health Canada, including adults and children, with two of the cases resulting in death.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a severe skin reaction that occurs as a side effect of several medications. It is highly debilitating and causes the skin to burn from the inside out, producing blisters, severe rashes and the skin may begin to separate from the body. When the skin lesions affect more than 30% of the body, the condition is referred to as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN). Treatment in a hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or Burn Unit is often required, and the conditions can be fatal in many cases.

REVIEW A CASE WITH AN ACCUTANE LAWYER: Submit information regarding a potential Accutane lawsuit to have your case reviewed and evaluated by an attorney. If it appears that you, a friend or family member may be entitled to compensation as a result of Accutane side effects, you may be contacted by a lawyer.

>>SUBMIT INFORMATION FOR REVIEW BY ACCUTANE ATTORNEYS<<

Tags: Accutane, Acne, Birth Defect, crohn's disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Isotretinoin, Roche, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

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154 Comments

David
I started taking Accutane in Junior High. After about 4 months on Accutane, I could no longer take it due to the pain in my joints, as my legs would collapse from under me during PE. Around this time, I become lactose intolerant and started suffering either chronic diarrhea or constipation, IBS, which I still have today. I saw multiples doctors and underwent multiple procedures to come up with nothing. I also became abnormally depressed and started inflicting self mutilation, I bear those scars today. In high school, I started developed frequent cold sores, canker sores and elbow rashes. Years later, I have now determined that I am not only lactose intolerant but now gluten intolerant which induces the sores and rashes due to an autoimmune disease. I not have severe paid in my neck, back and joints. My spine/neck ache throughout the day. It makes it very difficult not only sitting in a chair at work but everyday life. I’m only 24 but feel like my body is that of someone in their 70’s or 80’s. In additional to all my problems, Accutane truly stunted my growth and has made it impossible for me to gain weight, as I am underweight. I am also the shortest and leanest out of my 3 younger brothers as well as my father. The worst part, no one will take my case because I haven’t been diagnosed…. David
Mark
I started using accutane Sotret 2 years ago for treatment of my acne. At the time i was told that i may experience extreme dryness especially of lips and skin and that I should also not give blood or get a girl pregnant. Being 16 at the time, none of these seemed a concern and i would just use lots of chapstick and lotion. This worked quite fine and after cycling for 6 months i was 100% acne free. It felt good not to have to worry about acne, but now 2 years later, I am beginning to see side effects that were NOT mentioned on the box. If I had the choice I would probably not have taken this, as I believe other treatment options were available at the time. To any now, DO NOT TAKE ACCUTANE. P.S. my acne is still gone and I look great, and do not quite consider myself suicidal.
Michelle
Wow this is very scary stuff. I live in Australia, and took roaccutane for cystic acne in about 1987 for 3months with regular blood tests, I imagine this is the same as accutane. The roaccutane caused similar symptons to what everyone else has mentioned, my skin was very dry and if in the sun would get burnt very easily – I managed to get sunstroke after spending 10mins in the sun. At the time, I never suffered any bowl problems, but in about 1990 suffered from Irritable Bowel syndrome, maybe this was related. I haven’t had any heath problems to date but do suffer depression and can have upset stomachs from time to time. Never really thought about any links.
Barrett
I was on accutane in my teens around ’95. I had no side effects during the treatment, but I have had chronic heartburn and hemmhoroids since my late teens. I am now 32 and have been dealing with a variety of worsening abdominal problems, including these mystery abdominal pains many above commenters mentioned. I also live in Canada, and I also would like some info on where to go from here.
Terry
Does anyone know if there have been any cases where individuals develop seizure disorders after being off Accutane for several years? Two of my sons have had this happen and there is no family history of seizures. My other son who did not take Accutane has not experienced this problem so it makes me wonder if there is a link to Accutane.
holly
I was on accutane in my 20’s and now due to this great pill I have IBS and joint pain all through my body, and lost my gullbladder when i was 35, my live has change becuase of this pill, I have arthitis in my back and my neck, It is sad that we have to live our lives like this now,,,,,,
Wendy
I was on Accutane in my late teens. I am now 37. 4 years ago, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. After several hospitalizations, my flare ups became so severe that I had to have my entire colon moved. It has seriously affected my way of life. There is absolutely no history of any IBD in my family history. I have now also been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis. An arthritis related to IBD. This has seriously affected my life as well. I live in Toronto, Canada.. Does anyone have any information on where to go with this in Canada..??
Alice
I live in CA but have lived in NV and MI. I took Acutane on and off for years. I now have all the symtoms of IBS, etc. Also have had incredible joint pain, depression, etc. I have not had health insurance and so have not been diagnosed with IBS, Chrones, etc. What are my recourses and resources for getting diagnosed in CA? I have all the 800 numbers for the “help lines” but none have been much help.
Griffin
I took acutane for about a year and a half back in the 80s. 85 and 86 I think. That stuff has impacted my entire life in a negative way. It didn’t do much for my acne to begin with but it also dried out my skin so severly that my lower lip had this huge, ugly, and extremly painful crack in it for years. Acuutane changed the color of my skin, making it brite red, especially my face. Now adolecents is hard enough as it is, just imagine walking around with a craked lower lip, dry krinkled hair, a face that was so red people thought my head was going to explode, and skin flakes fluttering to the ground as I lurked down the hallway to my next class. More recently I have developed severe bowell issues including; bloody stools, gut renching pain and bowell movements, and epeleptic grand mal seizures. Anyone in my family or friends that I grew up will attest to the down right misery Accutane has caused me through out my life.
Mike
I’m 55 and was treated with Accutane in my 30’s (1988,1989,1990) and was told about the dry mouth, skin and eyes and issues with liver but nothing about IBS or other intestinal issues. In 1989 I had my gall bladder removed and since that time have been having intestinal pain from time to time. Was told it was muscle pain due to large incission to remove my gall bladder, but that does not answer why diaherra is associated with the pain from time to time. Was told to stay away from wheat based foods because it might be an allergy but hasn’t made any difference. Now working with a fourth gastrointestinal specialist who is puzzled as to what is going on and thinks I have IBS. Still have skin issues which dermotologists are puzzled as to what is going on. Some think it is Flalikitis but nothing seems to resolve it. As a Canadian, I would also be very interested as to how to become involved in a class action law suite against Roche.
kathryn
im 21 years old and i was on accutane around 2002, i was on it for about 12-15 months. about half was through i started experiencing very painful stomach problems. i was went to the ER a few times, because i was so sick and in so much pain. missed out on many activities and suffered a great deal of pain. i was then referred to a GI specialist and after a few months was diahnosed with IBS, even after 8 years i still have a very weak stomach and find it very hard to deal with it. it seemed at that time in my life while i was on accutane i was sick all the time. my skin has become very sensitve since i was on accutane and am often still dealing with side effects for this drug. heard about this lawsuit, and wondering what to do and how to go about it.
Lori
I was prescribed Accutane in late 1987 and took it for approximately 1 1/2 years, I haven’t been diagnosed with these symptoms but have experienced irratible bowel syndrome and have had bowel problems for more than 20 years. Does ant of this apply to me?
Peter
James is now 24 and was put on Accutane 9 years ago when he was 15 years old for 6 months, he developed major sickness with his bowel movements, as a high school student he was unable to attend regular classes. since graduation he has not been well enough to commence employment. His worst times are in the mornings….he has a diet different to everyone else in the family and suffers a great deal after eating. One of his major symptoms is nausea….He was tested for so many possibilities…..the medical community felt it was IBS but could not find any evidence of other causes. His problems started within a year of starting his accutane treatment. We had no knowledge of these lawsuits until recently seeing an ad on tv on August 10th 2010. We live in B.C. Canada, if anyone knows about a firm of Attorneys dealing with this issue please provide details. Many thanks his Dad.
Jim
I was 25 when I was first introduced to this drug. As far as I knew it was the best thing out there for what I had.I took it for almost a yr. then slowed off of it because it hurt my guts. Later I was told I had severe IBS and anal fisures as well as massive sinus “problems” that they gave me TONS of antibiotics for. At the same time I had now broken out into what they at that time called Flikalitis but is actualy (TEN) Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. My chest and back look like they have been shot with a shotgun from 75 paces. My chest bubbled and peeled off in a piece about the sieze of a CD case . My back looks like Termited wood ,thousands of little holes everywhere. I had to lay on my front for 5 months after for everything to heal just to stand and walk . Without cracking the giant scab and making it bleed. Thank the Lord for my Mother <3 To this day I have terriable scars from my hips up to my ears and have medical issues that intale seeing aprox3-4 Dr.s every month for IBS,Trigeminal Neuralgia for the past 4.5yrs.
Diana
I was on acutane in my 30’s after having my kids. It did help clear my acne with some drying side effects. I was on it for approximately a year. Within the past couple years I have been experiencing a lot of issues with my stomach and bowels. My stomach pain can be so severe that I lay with a heating pad myself. There are times I am vomiting or feel like I have the flu. I also get severe cramping and loose bowel movements. I have been diagnosed with svt of the heart during and emergency room visit in 2007. I also have started with chronic joint pain. I am always exhausted with no energy. I have not been diagnosed by a doctor as I do not have health insurance to cover any of these expenses. This really has me concerned, and even to get on health insurance you cannot have a pre-existing condition.
Glenn
I took accutane as a teen in the 80’s as well. I really don’t remember the dosage but I remember being warned about sun sensitivity and having my liver tested. I developed mild digestive problems after that, major depression, back problems etc. but never linked any of that to the drug. In my mid to late 20’s my stomach problems kept getting worse until I had to take six months off work as the pain was excrutiating and the sudden diarhea meant I had to be near a bathroom all the time. During that time I was tested for all kinds of things until finally they just said I had IBS. I found out my medical denied my claim so I had to go back to work in spite of the symptoms but I learned to manage them with a book called eat right for your blood type. I’ve also had problems with low energy, libido, gums etc. and just recently had back surgery. My brother just told me two days ago that he heard about a lawsuit regarding accutane so I started researching it. I am astonished that a lot of if not all of these “mystery” problems I’ve developed over the years and am trying to learn to live with may have been caused by this drug. A lot of peoples stories are too close to mine to be a coincidence. I am canadian, however, and am trying to figure out what course of action to take here. Does anyone know about any canadian lawsuits?
Corey
As a teenager in the mid-late 80’s, I had a severe case of acne. My dermatologist prescribed ACCUTANE, and I took it for over a year. I remember when I first began taking it, my doctor advised me of some of the side effects, such as dry skin, dry mouth and eyes, and nose bleeds. He never stated that severe stomach pains or Crohn’s Disease may develop from ACCUTANE. In 1998, just a month after becoming a police officer, and after weeks of continuous stomach cramping and high fevers, I went to the ER. After running some tests, it was discovered that I had a large abcess on my small intestine, which doctor’s said was the size of a softball. I went in for emergency surgery where they took out the abcess, along with a section of my small intestine. After the surgery, it was discovered that I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. I was in the hospital for 10 days, and was forced to miss over a month from work. Due to the amount of training time I had missed, and a lack of resources from the police department, I was forced to leave the department. After attempting to be hired by other police agencies, I was told more than once by police administration that they were hesitant in hiring me because of my Crohn’s. After being treated with several different medications, which some of them provided an adverse reaction, most noteably IMMURAN, I was treated with REMICADE, which I have been using now for 6 years and it has done a great job of controlling my Crohn’s symptoms. However, even with that being said, there are still many times when I feel the effects of Crohn’s, and it interferes with my personal and professional life. Up until now, now one has been able to tell me for sure what causes Crohn’s Disease. Only recently did I find out that people who have taken ACCUTANE in the past are more likely to develop Crohn’s. Obviously, if I had known then what I know now, I would have never taken ACCUTANE, and would have lived with the acne. However, all I can do now is continue to treat my Crohn’s as well as I can, and try to live my life as normal as possible.
Lilian
I took Accutane two different times. The first was in 1998. I was about to get married, and my face, back and inner tighs were covered in pimples. The main reason I took it though was because of the inner thighs. I had lesions there since I was 12, and they were very painful (I learned later that they were Hidradenitis Suppurativa, not pimples). The acne on my face and back cleared up completely (which I am really grateful – beautiful wedding pictures). The inner thighs got a little better, but I got “pimples” on my buttocks as a new place. My only side effect from Accutane besides the new “pimples” was very dry lips and eyes, nothing else. My buttocks and inner thighs got a lot worse over the years. I decided to try Accutane again in 2008. When I was 3 months in it, I started having muscles pains, especially on my right thigh. I also started not feeling myself. I’d be angry for no reason, have arguments with my husband over nothing, be annoyed with little things… I talked to my doctor and we decided to discontinue the medication. The muscle pains disappeared. My mind is not back to normal though. I still feel easily irritated and on edge. I also have joint pains (mild). I think this symptoms are related to Accutane. They are not severe, but are bothersome. I wish Accutane had at least helped my Hidradenitis, but it didn’t. It didn’t help one little bit. 🙁 It actually made it a lot worse.
Sharon
My daughter Sarah, has taken Accutane three years (6 months at a time) 2005 – 2007. We are concerned and I am wondering how long any of these afor mentioned problems can develope?
Mikel
When I was a teenager my doctors tried multiple treatments for acne, everything from benzoyl peroxide, tetracyclin, and salicylic acid until eventually my dermatologist suggested we try Accutane which was recently approved for acne treatment (this is 1998, I haven’t researched the accuracy of this yet). I endured the dry flaky skin, lips that crack when you smirk, joints that feel achy and grinding, and the eyes that feel like they’re sticky and dry all the time for only a year. At that point it was determined to be successful and I was taken off of it. A few months later I started having bloody stools. Then I collapsed at work one day, at the age of 15, and a friend took me to the hospital. At first they thought I had Crohns Disease, but after a colonoscopy and an inpatient stay they determined it to be Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The link to Accutane I don’t believe was there 12 years ago, and I had not family history of it, so they wrote it off as stress. To this day I still have the same problems, I just suffer through it and tell myself its stress and normal. Somedays my stomach hurts bad enough I’ve called out of work, but for the most part I keep on going. Until I got a random email today, I wasn’t really aware that Accutane may have done this to me, and now I’m really upset. What else may happen to me? I’ve already resolved to live with intestinal and rectal pain for the rest of my life, but do I have to worry about loosing sections of my intestine later, or more pain? This is just frustrating…
Lisa
I took Accutane 20 years ago; I believe the dosage was 60mg a day. I took the drug for one year solid. I had minor symptoms at the time; corners of my mouth cracked and bled some dry skin. About one year after taking the drug, I had some severe knee pain, and spent several weeks in physical therapy, which seemed to reduce the pain; since I was no longer taking Accutane, I did not make any connection to the drug. After taking Accutane, various problems arose over time, but, again, I did not make any connection to the drug. These problems included severe acid reflux, increased problems with IBS, which I had been diagnosed with prior to taking Accutane, so I cannot say that Accutane caused the problem. I began to have additional knee pain, and back problems. Today I had diagnostic x-rays for severe hip pain that has been escalating for many years. Although x-rays four years ago did not show any arthritis, I was told today that it is so severe I need to see an orthopedic surgeon. How could it escalate so quickly? I have never smoked, rarely have a drink, force my self to take long walks to get at least some exercise even though the pain is intense. I have been trying to find anwers and happened to see an advertisement regarding Accutane lawsuits, so I decided to do some research, and ended up on this site.
Karen
I took this drug at least three to four different times probably about 15 years ago. Only one dose was for the full dosage/length of time. I have chronic dry eye, skin sun sensitivity, and crazy stomach issues to the point where food is a struggle as most everything upsets it.
Maria
I recently became aware of the adverse side effects that are a result of taking Accutane. I took a six month course of this drug more than ten years ago. I experienced the typical side effects such as dryness and redness of the skin. Now, in my late 40’s I have developed lower back and joint pain. My doctor said it was disk deterioration. It comes as a surprise since I’ve always been an athlete with no family history of this condition. More troubling is to see that I have many of the other side effects listed such as excessive thirstiness, dry eyes, strange recurring headaches, low libido, hair loss, abdominal issues , and depression. I am very concerned that some of these symptoms that have occurred since I took this drug years ago and some of the newer ones that are beginning now will escalate into even more serious issues if I don’t find out what is the cause. It is so disturbing to think that I had always taken great care with my health (non smoker non drinker no drugs etc) and to discover that a drug recommend to me by my dermatologist for a relatively mild case of acne may cause me greater harm than I ever iimagined!!!!
Angela
I was on accutane for one year in 2006. You don’t realize the side effects until after your off the drug. I was only on the drug for about two weeks when my skin and lips started to peel. My skin felt like I had really bad sunburn and was extremely painful. Then I started to get frequent nose bleeds almost every day. My side effects just kept getting worse. I fell into a really deep depression and thought about suicide on a daily basis. I started having hallucinations and became extremely paranoid. I slept with a knife under my matress for months. I had days when the pain in my stomach was so bad, I thought I was going to die. I’ve been off the drug now for about 3 years, and some of my side effects still exsist. I still suffer from depression and I have bad back. That year was the worst time of my life and I suffered through all of it just for better skin.
DIANE
I took Accutane about 20 years ago. A couple years after taking it I devloped a sun allergy. I can not be in the sun for more than 15 minutes at a time or I get a severe reaction similar to sun poisoning. I wonder if anyone else has experienced this. The only side effect I got on it was very dry lips.
BTO
I have been taking Clarvis for the past 5 months and am extremely happy with the results. I am a fifty-four year old woman. I was having an extremely difficult time with cystic acne (causing scaring on my face). My face is completely clear now; the pores of my skin have diminished and the scars are minimizing. Also, I have had extreme colon problems for the past eleven years (constant diarrhea and a bleeding colon) at times so bad it required hospitalization. Since I have been taking Clarvis all of those symptoms have vanished. Further, for two and a half years, I had a debilitating skin condition on the soles of my feet (so bad that I was unable to walk at times) and on the palms of my hands (where it was too painful to even put my hands into cool water). I was treated by a five different physicians (three of them specialists). I was given steroids, multiple injections in each hand and foot; every medicine and cream known to man and nothing worked. Since I have been taking Clarvis this condition is completely gone. I have to go through an act of Congress just to obtain this medicine. Every month my blood is tested and I am interviewed (for side effects / depression / changes) and examined by my dermatologist before she will even consider refilling my prescription. I follow their (makers and doctors) guidelines exactly (I never take it on an empty stomach). I am very sorry for anyone that is experiencing health problems from taking this medicine. I personally am so grateful to the maker of this product and to my physicians for giving me my life back. For me this medication is an answer to a prayer.
David
I have been diagonse with diverticulosis and diverticulitis that could lead to surgery.I have constant bouts year round of diarhea that I think is irratable bowl syndrome.I took accutane for 6 moths with no period off and 4 pills a day which is the max you can take.
Elaine
I was on Accutane way back in the early 1980’s when it first came out. The only side effect I had was very dry lips and my facial skin was very dry. It’s scary to hear all these years later that Accutane is connected to the diseases listed here. Also it worries me because my son who is 18 now took it about 2 yrs. ago. Luckily I’m very healthy and didn’t end up with any conditions from the drug…and now I’ll be praying that my son doesn’t either. (Also…I was only on Accutane for probably 12 to 16 weeks and my blood was checked “very” often while I was taking it.)
L.a.
I have been on Accutane for 2 months, since I’ve had very bad headache, dizzyness at times, feeling tired & exhausted, no appetiate, along with problems with my vision. My lips and noise became extremely dry (which was discussed with my doctor). My bowels are inflammed, and everytime I had a bowell movement there is blood. I am not taking the medication any longer and waiting to go get a blood test and scheudle an appt to see my doctor. The Dryness and Depression was discussed on my Doctor Visit but nothing else. I suggest anyone who takes the pill and starts to feel the side effects should stop taking it. No one else knows you body except for you.
Dan
I had depression and bowel problems ever since accutane.I remember going to the bathroom and biting a rag to muffle my screams so my mother wouldnt freak out.I did go to the ER once and they really didnt have time for a BOWEL PROBLEM.I had a doctor for a while and he told me I had H pilora disease.Not sure if he was right or not but what the hey,he got paid reguardless.My bowels have never really been right .Right now no ins and no job.Dont even ask about depression,I always attributed it to going back to the great state of Michigan after the military.I just try to watch what I eat and dont wander too far from a bathroom.I believe the doctor told me this drug was still experimental when I took it.Mid 1980s.Had to have my liver checked monthly.Very powerful drug!
Joy
I took Accutane 20 years ago…. I now have debilitating Rheumatoid Arthritis (this disease is in the same autoimmune class as Crohn’s). Has anyone experienced development of this disease after so many years? Thanks.
kristine
Reading over these comments is scary but makes me feel better at the same time. I was on accutane for 6 months in 2004 and eperienced the dryness that goes with it, which I ws warned about. I had my blood taken and checked once a month and everything was normal. While I was on it, my cystic acne was better but as soon as I stopped taking it my acne was just as bad as before. And now I have the stomach problems to deal with on top of the acne. Starting about 3 years ago, I started having diarrhea and in April of 2008 I began to see a digestive specialist. I went through test after test trying to determine the cause of my pain, but it was always the same result; they thought it was one thing (acid reflux, ulcers, crohns, celiac’s, stress, etc) and it was nothing. I had 2 or 3 endoscopies and a colonoscopy which was the worst pain I had ever experienced. Several Emergency room visits, missed classes, and sleepless nights later, they still had no cause of my bloody diarrhea, weight loss (I was 130 and went down to 105 in about a month.. and I’m 5’10”), cramping or vomiting. They said I must have irritable bowel syndrome. I got pregnant and my stomach settled down but now that my daughter was born, the problems are back and I have no insurance to see the specialist again and try to find the cause of my problems. Seriously if someone had told me that my acne would come back and I’d have stomach pains forever, I would have never taken accutane. They said it would change my life, but they didn’t say it would make it worse!
Bonnie
I took accutane 3 different times over a period of about 7 years. Since 1997, I have been experiencing depression on and off alot. The accutane did work well for the acne though. My sister also used accutane but I am not sure how much and has problems on and off with depression. Is this something to be worried about? I also do not go to the bathroom regularly.
Sheila
I had cystic acne sense the age of 22. At the age of 37 I decided to go on Accutane. I was on it for 9 months. I cannot recall any adverse side affects at the time of taking this drug, yet for the last couple years I have had abdominal pain, bloating, persistent diarrhea, and hemroids. I have always been a healthy person until now. The worst is the abdominal pain,which I have been experiencing for over a year now. It is a daily occurrence that affects my ability to function sometimes. I lost my medical coverage after being laid off my job a year ago, and cannot afford to find out what is wrong with me. This is certainly not normal.
Janny
My son began Accutane at age 16 for four -five months. He had a few side effects like dry lips, dry hands, facial peeling, depression, and shortly afterward started having stomach nausea, diarrhea, and lower abdominal cramping. Over the last year, the doctors have done several tests, including food allergies, to determine what is wrong with his stomach and intestines. He has to stay close to a restroom and the symptoms come and go over a period of days or hours. Because the doctors can’t find any relief for him we have started to think it is stress related. He has a few more prescriptions for stomach and colon to finish seeing if they help before to go to the extreme testing phase. My once active health son has been suffering for over a year, has lost weight, and restricts some of his activities. We will continue testing, but this is a horrible illness for him to have to deal with. Once testing is complete, I will make a decision to act accordingly if the cause of his illness is due to the Accutane.
Bjask
Accutane does have side effects. I was on a low dose (20mg a day), and even that made me depressed, gave me pain in the joints, dry lips, etc. But can I make a lawsuit against this drug if I get a disease later in life? Can you guys blame accutane for any problem you get years after stopping the drug? My brother and grandfather both have Crohns disease. None of them ever took accutane. In fact, studies show that there are just as many people who get it without taking accutane. It is a disease that has been increasing in the western world. And for those who say the acne came back. It does on some people. And for some it is a cure. If you can not tolerate the side effects, then go for a long term low dose. If you can not tolerate that either, then stop it. But to make lawsuits? Accutane may be taken of the marked because of all this, and trust me, Acne, Seborrhea and Rosacea make people far more depressed and suicidal than Accutane. Read the information about Accutane before you take it, and decide for yourself.
Mike
I am 25 took Accutane a few years ago now I have Ulcerative Colitis and have filed a lawsuit….there are about 2,000 other cases against Roche Pharmaceutical. I wish I knew how long this case is going to be pending I don’t see any large checks coming anytime soon…Does anyone know how long a lawsuit usually takes?
Kim
I took Accutane in 86-87 and I have always had stomach problems. they have gotten much worse in the last 3 years. So much so, I have gone to the urgent care and Emergency Department several times. Always to be told it is gastritis and given a GI cocktail. This use to help some but not anymore. I have had upper GI’s 3 times and colonoscopy’s twice. They never reveal anything, yet I continue to get these weird stomach attacks that hurt so badly I have to lie on my side with a heating pad on my stomach for hours. Sometimes I throw up with them. Help….does this sound familiar to anyone. I’m at my wits end and know something is wrong!
Caren
I took 40mg./60mg. of Accutane for four months from 10/89-01/90. I was first diagnosed with depression in 1991 and have had issues with it ever since. I also feel like my eyes have been dry since I first took the medication. This has never really gotten better. My acne cleared up for about a year and then returned. I’m 47 years old and still dealing with pimples! I think that natural alternatives are much better.
Anna
I’m 15 years old and am on accutane. I’ve only been on it for about a month and a half, and I’ve had every side-affect besides rectal problems. If you have the choice of taking another medication, do it. This medicine changes you. I almost lost my best friend, and I am having problems with both of my parents, whom are seperated. My life isn’t that bad, but sometimes I have a hard time seeing the glass as half full. I have blister-like pimples and rashes on my face, and I know it’s only been a month but the people who I’ve talked to said they only broke out for a couple weeks. My noncular acne is getting worse. If you have another choice for treatment, take it.
Tictoc
I agree, it is one thing to belittle a patient for not knowing side affects. It’s another to take a drug, have a hindsight perspective on how things built up, and to find out that some side effects, such as bowel issues were NEVER discussed by my doctor. NJ resident.
sb
I am really offended by some comments saying we should have used common sense, I was accutane two seperate times and only had some mild stomach cramping and back pain, I never dreamed I would be dx with Crohn’s Disease six years later, I do blame the company and not my so called lack of commen sense,
Sloan
I am commenting on an earlier entry about it being the patients fault for the severe consequences of taking this drug. I took Accutane as perscribed when I was in middle school. I had no idea my digestive issues were related to the drug. If you knew how digestive illnesses work, you would know that the problems build. Maybe one might experience a hard stool every once in awhile while on the medication which wouldn’t be conspicuously linked to the drug. It wasn’t until several years later, the real consequences became apparent. I underwent surgery when I was 22 to remove part of my intestine and will be on digestive medications for the rest of my life.
Gabrielle
I took accutane back in the mid 1990’s, I have had problem ever since with depression, initiated bowel, problem with digestion and my acne came back worse than ever!! My acne came back so bad I look worse then I did before I took the drug!!
john
why do you people keep taking the drug after experiencing so many problems? Use common sense please. A lady has a lawsuit against google for being hit by a car while following their “on foot” directions on her phone. COMMON SENSE! Look both ways! If you become depressed, have stomach pain, bleed from your anus, etc while on a drug stop taking it. You don’t do it for two years with these problems and then decide its the companies fault. Come on America
jason
I took the heaviest dose of accutane for 1 year and experienced all the side effects of dryness you can imagine. infact my arms becane so raw I couldnt put them on a solid surface it would make them burn. Had i known that my (ibs) reulted from accutane i would have never taken it, mostly cuase my acne is as bad as it was when i took the drug. unfortunatley i was only 16 when i was on the drug and was able to give any input. My doctor at the time said he would closley monitor the side effects with weekly blood checks but he never did. Had i known better i wouldnt have taken accutane. I know for certain that it had unrepairable damage cuased to my skin and my digestive system. I would get pains so badin my bowles and kidneys i would nearly be in tears. DONT TAKE IT. yor acne will just come back.
Roch
I\’ve been threw 5 different specialist (colonoscopie#,not one came back with the same diagnostic. I had surgery done on me a few weeks after the last colonoscopie, after being told everything was fine.they removed a few feet of my intestin and i was on a bag for six months! I took acutane in the mid 80\’s and had intestinal problems a few years #4-5 years).
Jeff
I took accutane two times back around 99-01 timeframe not exactly sure while in high school I noticed some normal side effects, mood swings, major dryness, etc. It did really help my acne, but then I noticed I had frequent diareaha. I have not been diagnosed with any.
thelma
i started using claravis (accutane generic ) about a month ago. so far so good breakouts gone, skin and lips are dry but that was explained before consumption. what bothers me is that i read these entries and people say they took this drug for a year or more? wow. i was old 3-5 months max. i wonder if that helped cause those adverse side affects.
Amanda
I am responding for my father. He had taken Accutane from ’85-’86. Then he started noticing problems starting in ’89. It has gotten progressively worse over the years. Unfortunately he currently has ulcerative colitis, an irritated bowel, hemmoroids, and the most recent is a possibility of Chromes’ Disease. So you see he is going through a lot. We have not completely linked these problems to Accutane yet, but from the way this is starting to sound, it could be very likely that this may be a contributing factor.
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