Accutane Attorneys
Accutane (isotretinoin) is manufactured by Hoffmann-LaRoche. The drug was launched in 1982 as a treatment for severe acne that resisted treatment by other methods. The drug has been widely prescribed -- more than five million people in the U.S. and 12 million people worldwide have taken the drug. Isotretinoin is also marketed under the names Amnesteem, Claravis and Sotret, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Accutane has been linked to severe side effects, including suicidal ideation, depression, gastrointestinal problems, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease, and severe birth defects.
Warnings about Accutane's potential to cause birth defects were first required by the FDA in 1983. The agency approved a stronger risk management plan for the drug in 2005 to make sure pregnant women, or those who might become pregnant, did not take the medicine.
The FDA stated: "Isotretinoin is a potentially dangerous prescription medicine that should only be taken under the close supervision of your healthcare professional and pharmacist. If you are pregnant or may get pregnant, isotretinoin can cause birth defects, miscarriage, premature births, and death in babies."
Also in 2005, the FDA approved new warnings for risks of depression and psychiatric problems. That followed a 2002 advisory committee report, discussed at a Congressional hearing, that recommended use of a consent form so that all Accutane patients would by clearly informed about the possible psychiatric side effects.
Recent studies have shown that Accutane is known to cause Crohn's Disease, Ulcertive Colitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Symptoms for these illnessed include:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Pain in the joints
- Sudden weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Rectal bleeding
- Fever
In June 2009, Hoffmann-LaRoche announced plans to withdraw the sale of Accutane in the U.S., citing competition from generic versions of the drug and the ongoing cost of litigation.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured after taking Accutane or a generic version of Isotretinoin, you need qualified drug injury lawyer from a firm familiar with prescription litigation. Cases involving prescription drugs are complex, requiring significant research, appropriate use of relevant medical testimony, and strong negotiation skills.
The Law Firm of America is a network of reputable and experienced firms across the country, staffed by pharmaceutical injury attorneys who are ready to take on your case. You have a right to expect that your prescription drugs are safe - and if the medication you rely upon to improve your health causes serious injury, you may be eligible for legal compensation.
No recovery? No fee.
If our affiliate firms don't recover financial damages for you, you don't pay - it's that simple. The prescription drug injury attorneys within our network have built their reputations by helping clients win cases and achieve the results they deserve. If you or a loved one has suffered from heart failure or other damage after taking Accutane and you have legal questions, contact The Law Firm of America at 1-888-933-1514 or contact us online for a free consultation with an experienced and dedicated attorney who cares about your case.