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Accutane Acne Medication and Severe Side Effects
Accutane is prescribed for the treatment of severe acne or recalcitrant cystic nodular acne. Accutane shrinks the skin's oil glands and diminishes their oil output. Accutane is a capsule taken orally everyday for several months, but the anti-acne drug can remain in the body long after finishing the course of medication. Accutane, generically known as Isotretinoin, is a synthetic derivative of Vitamin A.
 Accutane was first manufactured and distributed by Hoffman-LaRoche in 1982. Today, Accutane is used by millions of teens and adults worldwide and has annual sales of over $1.2 billion.
With countless reports of medical problems and side effects linked to Accutane, the FDA has been involved in alerting the public and promoting changes to the warning label. The FDA has put limitations on prescribing and filling Accutane prescriptions to avoid abuse and unauthorized use of the potentially dangerous drug.
Accutane Side Effects
The known side effects of Accutane are lengthy and can show up after limited or extensive use of the drug. Accutane's drug label currently warns of hypertension (high blood pressure), pancreatitis, hearing impairment, hepatotoxcity, inflammatory bowel disease, and an increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.
Birth defects, psychiatric problems and systemic side effects can also occur, such as damage to the liver, kidneys, central nervous system, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, and the auto-immune system of the human body.
Birth Defects: Shortly after international distribution, Accutane was in the news for allegations of causing severe birth defects when the mother was taking Accutane while pregnant. The label now warns that there is "an extremely high risk that severe birth defects will result" if the patient becomes pregnant. Birth defects can include facial and bodily abnormalities and disorders of the brain, central nervous system, or cardiovascular system in the newborn baby.
Depression and Suicide: Accutane's label now warns patients that the anti-acne drug "may cause depression, psychosis, and, rarely, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide." By 2000, the FDA had received more than 66 suicide reports and 1,373 cases of psychiatric problems among Accutane users. Although French officials required that Accuntane's label include the risk of suicide in 1997, the FDA did not require the same change in the USA until 1999.
Accutane's Manufacturer
Hoffmann-LaRoche is the U.S. subsidiary of "The Roche Group", a leading international health care company focused on pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and vitamins. The Roche Group has been in international news for fraudulent conduct, discovery abuses, and patent infringement, including fraud against the United States Trademark and Patent Office. In 1999, Roche budgeted over one billion dollars for criminal fines, penalties, and settlement of cases.
In an investigation of Hoffmann-LaRoche, one committee Congressman stated that Hoffmann-LaRoche, "put profits before people".
Accutane Articles
Congressman Turns up the Heat on the FDA Over Accutane and Others
Rep. Bart Stupak is turning up the heat on the FDA over the type of protection they are providing Americans when it comes to unsafe drugs. One of those drugs that Stupak is especially concerned about is the acne medication, Accutane.
Appeals Court Upholds $7 Million Accutane Judgement against Roche Pharmaceuticals
Adam Mason of Pensacola was a very young man in 1991 when his doctor prescribed Roche Pharmaceuticals' Accutane to treat his acne. Soon afterward, Mason developed symptoms of Crohn's disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and one of many potential side effects of Accutane that Roche has never fully acknowledged and only briefly mentions in their product safety warnings.
Accutane: Slipping Through the Cracks Everywhere
All things considered, we would be better off without Accutane. Since its introduction in 1982, the "last resort" acne medication from Roche Pharmaceuticals has been linked to terrible birth defects including hydrocephaly (excess fluid around the brain), microcephaly (unnaturally small head size), heart defects, cleft lip, missing ears, and mental retardation. There is strong evidence linking Accutane to severe depression, sometimes to the point of suicide.
Accutane: Depression, Suicide and Degenerative Diseases
Accutane: "It was the darkest place I've ever been."
Accutane In the News
JAN-22-08: More harmful than thalidomide to a growing fetus, Accutane and its derivatives are of extreme concern to health officials throughout North America. The drug has up to a 50 per cent chance of causing birth defects. [THE STAR: ACCUTANE]
SEP-19-06: Scientific evidence recently proved there is a link between a drug for severe acne and depression. Roaccutane is highly effective in treating serious cases of acne, but in recent years the drug has been implicated in causing serious side-effects, including suicidal behavior. [TIMES ONLINE: ACCUTANE]
FDA Public Health Advisory for Accutane
Accutane Side Effects Legal Help
If you or a loved one has had adverse side effects from acne medication Accutane, you may qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible class action lawsuit. Please click on the link below.
Last updated on Mar-8-10
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ACCUTANE ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS
Congressman Turns up the Heat on the FDA Over Accutane and Others
 Washington, DC: Rep. Bart Stupak is turning up the heat on the FDA over the type of protection they are providing Americans when it comes to unsafe drugs. One of those drugs that Stupak is especially concerned about is the acne medication, Accutane. [ Read More ]
Appeals Court Upholds $7 Million Accutane Judgement against Roche Pharmaceuticals
 Pensacola, FL: Adam Mason of Pensacola was a very young man in 1991 when his doctor prescribed Roche Pharmaceuticals' Accutane to treat his acne. Soon afterward, Mason developed symptoms of Crohn's disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and one of many potential side effects of Accutane that Roche has never fully acknowledged and only briefly mentions in their product safety warnings. [ Read More ]
Accutane: Slipping Through the Cracks Everywhere
Salt Lake City, UT: All things considered, we would be better off without Accutane. Since its introduction in 1982, the "last resort" acne medication from Roche Pharmaceuticals has been linked to terrible birth defects including hydrocephaly (excess fluid around the brain), microcephaly (unnaturally small head size), heart defects, cleft lip, missing ears, and mental retardation. There is strong evidence linking Accutane to severe depression, sometimes to the point of suicide. [ Read More ]
ACCUTANE SETTLEMENTS
Accutane Lawsuit Results in $26 Million Jury Award Accutane Hoffman-La Roche to Pay 3 Teens Awarded $12.9 Million
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