Accutane® Side Effects: Ulcerative Colitis
Patients who have been treated with the acne medication, Accutane®, are at risk of developing ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). If you have been treated with Accutane® and have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, our side effect lawyers can help.
Contact us to schedule FREE evaluation of your case.
Accutane® and Ulcerative Colitis
Accutane® is a powerful anti-acne medication for nodular or cystic acne that does not respond to other treatments. The drug has been associated with numerous extremely serious side effects. One of these is ulcerative colitis.
The side effects of the drug are so severe that it finally was taken off the market in 2009.
Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The other main form of IBD is Crohn's disease. Accutane® has also been linked to the development of Crohn's Disease in some patients.
Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis is made by the physician when a patient comes to the office complaining of cramps and diarrhea. These are among the main symptoms that the patient first experiences.
Accutane® and Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms
Persons with ulcerative colitis have a constantly infected and irritated digestive tract. They often become extremely fatigued, weak, and may even die from complications of the disease. The main symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:
- Cramping and abdominal pain
- Bloody Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Bleeding and pain of the rectum
- Fatigue
- The sensation of having to have a bowel movement but being unable to do so
Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
Treatment for ulcerative colitis varies from person to person. The following are mentioned as treatments by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the U.S. National Institutes of Health:
- Drug therapy to produce and maintain remission and help the person's quality of life.
- Aminosalicylates to control inflammation are among the first drugs tried to treat ulcerative colitis in mild to moderate occurrences of the disease. Different types of aminosalicylates can be given, depending upon patients' tolerance of side effects. These drugs can be taken orally, or through an enema or suppository.
- Corticosteroids including prednisone, methylprednisone and hydrocortisone, like the aminosalicylates. reduce inflammation. Side effects can be severe and include weight gain, puffiness, acne, facial hair, mood swings, hypertension, diabetes, bone mass loss and an increased risk of infection. Because of the side effects, the drugs are recommended mostly for short-term use.
- Immunodilators work on the immune system to reduce inflammation and are given when the two previous types of drugs are not effective. They are slow acting and can lead to serious complications.
- Hospitalization for patients whose symptoms are severe such as serious bleeding or diarrhea. Such patients may be on special diets, fed intravenously, or might need surgery.
- Surgery to remove the colon and rectum. If this surgery is done, one of two other types of operations are needed:
- Ileostomy, in which the surgeon attaches the end of the small intestine to a pouch attached through a small opening in the abdomen called a stoma. The patient then empties the pouch as needed.
- Ileoanal anastomosis, allowing the patient to have normal bowel movements through special surgery attaching the ileum to the inside of the rectum and the anus. The ileum is the end of the small intestine
Accutane® Ulcerative Colitis Lawsuits
Hundreds of people have filed lawsuits against the manufacturer of Accutane® . If you or someone you love has taken Accutane® and then suffered ulcerative colitis, you should contact a lawyer to be compensated for your pain, suffering, and the expense of treating your disease.
Contact our Accutane® side effect attorneys for a free evaluation of your case.