Accutane, an acne medication that is popular amongst teens and young adults, has recently been linked to serious side effects and the potential to cause devestating bowel problems like inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis in people prescribed to the drug.
Currently, close to 1,000 Accutane lawsuits have been filed against the drug's manufacturer, Roche, in both federal and state courts. These lawsuits regarding Accutane allege that the drug's manufacturer did not take the proper steps to adequately warn to properly warn users about the potential of harmful Accutane side effects. To date, Roche has lost the first six trial cases, and is facing verdicts ordering the company to pay restitutino and damages up to $56 million. Similarly, Roche has agreed to settle other Accutane cases for amounts that remain undisclosed.
Status of Lawsuits Against Accutane
In the few cases against Accutane that have already gone to trial, plaintiffs have already been awarded millions of dollars in damages and compensation. At this time, Accutane lawyers are looking over cases for persons who have used Accutane and were diagnosed with:
- Crohn’s Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Ulcerative Colitis
If drug manufacturers do not adequately inform patients of the potential side effects of a drug they may be held be held accountable. Pharmaceutical providers are responsible for making sure that those prescribed a drug are fully aware of the potential & dangerous side effects that can occur when taking a drug. Failure to disclose these dangers is considered an act of negligence.
Thus far, patients that were taking Accutane prior to Roche's warning about the serious risks associated with the drug have predominantly been able to get favorable court rulings. Most recently, three individuals that filed a lawsuit against the makers of Accutane were awarded several million dollars by the New Jersey Superior Court in a ruling that alleged Accutane had caused their serious condition of inflammatory bowel disease.
Accutane Bowel Problems
Of the several bowel problems that have been directly linked to Accutane, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the most commonly reported and unfortunately, the most debilitating as well. Inflammatory Bowel Disease is the medical name for a culmination of digestive dysfunctions that can include Crohn's disease as well as ulcerative colitis.
To learn more, visit our Accutane side effects page.
Andrew McCarrell, an Alabama resident who had to have his colon removed as a result of a bowel disorder linked to the drug Accutane, recently won a judgement against the pharmaceutical giant and manufacturer of Accutane, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.