Study Links Acne Medications to Bowel Problems

New York, NYPeople who live with acne know how difficult it can be, but those who suffer from Accutane side effects might say that the pain of acne pales in comparison to that of inflammatory bowel disease. A new study seems to confirm that some acne medications might be the cause of bowel problems in a small number of patients. Meanwhile, lawsuits alleging that Accutane acne medication caused serious health problems in some patients are pending in US courts.

Published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology in August 2010, the study examines the link between antibiotic use and inflammatory bowel disease.

Previous studies have suggested a link between isotretinoin (often referred to by its brand name, Accutane) and inflammatory bowel disease. However, for many patients, isotretinoin is a last resort treatment for acne. By the time they try isotretinoin, many have already tried antibiotics. Researchers undertook the study to determine if antibiotics may have played a role in the development of inflammatory bowel disease—commonly attributed to the use of Accutane.

According to Reuters on 8/20/10, researchers examined the medical records of more than 94,000 British teenagers and young adults who were diagnosed with acne between 1998 and 2006. Their research showed that the long-term use of antibiotics doubled the risk of inflammatory bowel disease, most commonly Crohn's disease.

Both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are forms of inflammatory bowel disease and both can be serious health problems that may require surgery. In severe cases, patients with inflammatory bowel disease may undergo surgery to remove part or all of their colon.

Researchers did not exonerate Accutane entirely. Although the research suggests a link between antibiotics and inflammatory bowel disease, this does not mean Accutane could not also be linked to the condition.

Meanwhile, the European Medicines Agency said it will make reports about the possible side effects of drugs it has on file available. The move comes during a lawsuit filed by Liam Grant, an Irish man whose son committed suicide in 1997. According to blogs.wsj.com on 8/11/10, Grant filed a lawsuit against Roche Holding AG, alleging that Roaccutane (the brand name for Accutane in Britain) was responsible for his 19-year-old son's suicide.

Roche defended its drug, saying that no cause-and-effect relationship has been established between Accutane and psychiatric events.