Accutane

Roche Holding AG, makers of Accutane acne medication stopped selling their product on June 26, 2009, it is suspected that decision was as a result of several juries awarding at least $33 million in damages to users who blamed the drug for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The company faces as many as 5,000 personal-injury claims over Accutane, with users alleging that the drug maker failed to properly warn them the medication could cause inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease is an ongoing health problem that causes inflammation and swelling in the digestive tract. The irritation causes bleeding sores called ulcers to form, which in turn cause abdominal pain and severe bloody diarrhea. There are two main types of inflammatory bowel diseases; Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s Disease usually affects the large intestine and/or the small intestine, but it can affect any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. The inflammation causes abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation.

Symptoms and Complications
The symptoms usually depend on what part of the digestive tract is affected, the most common being pain and tenderness in the abdomen, especially the lower right side and diarrhea. The symptoms may come and go and they could be mild or severe. Less frequent symptoms include constipation, weight loss, rectal bleeding, low fever, exhaustion and slowed growth and delayed sexual development in childhood cases. Swelling and scar tissue thickening in the bowel wall can occur, which can cause intestinal blockage.

Ulcers created by Crohn’s Disease can break through the walls of the intestine, creating tunnels or fistulas between the intestine and other organs. Usually fistulas occur in the bladder, vagina, anus, rectum and skin. Crohn’s disease can damage the digestive system to the point where it won’t absorb enough proteins, calories, vitamins or minerals. It could also lead to Osteporosis due to the lack of absorbed calcium and vitamin D.

Crohn’s disease can also cause several health problems throughout the body, including: join pain or arthritis, inflammation in the eyes and mouth, gallstones, liver disease, skin rashes, anemia, and kidney stones.

Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layers of the large intestine and rectum. It most often occurs in the lower part of the colon and rectum, but may affect the whole colon. When ulcerative colitis occurs in the rectum it is called proctitis.

Symptoms and Complications
Two most common symptoms are diarrhea and abdominal pain. Other symptoms include: nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and frequent fever. Ulcerative colitis can cause a number of problems outside the colon, including: joint pain, arthritis, inflammation in the eye, liver and bile duct disease, skin rashes, anemia, and kidney stones.

The Alvarez Law Firm is currently representing clients who have suffered a complication from the use of this product. If you or anyone you know has had complications while using Accutane please contact the Alvarez Law Firm. Toll Free - (877) 445-7675 Email - intake@integrityforjustice.com

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