Accutane and Birth Defects

Houston Medical Injury Attorney: What is Accutane?

Ever since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Accutane for use in treating severe acne in 1982, the drug has been associated with serious harmful side effects, including depression, birth defects and bowel disease. Although Accutane's manufacturer, AG Roche, pulled the drug from the U.S. market in 2009, countless patients, including pregnant women and infants, may have been seriously harmed. Additionally, many patients may buy Accutane from foreign sources online or purchase generic versions of the drug that are still available.

At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we strongly believe that those who have manufactured, marketed and prescribed dangerous pharmaceuticals such as Accutane must be held fully accountable for their wrongdoing and their victims must be fairly compensated. If you believe that you or a loved one is suffering side effects connected to Accutane, it's important to contact a Houston personal injury lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP today to learn more about how we can help you with your medical injury claim.

Problems Associated with Accutane Use

An FDA official once described Accutane to a U.S. House committee as being "one of the FDA's most difficult challenges in the area of post-approval management." On one hand, Accutane, also known as isotretinoin, has been highly successful in treating patients with nodular, cystic acne, which can be a painful and scarring condition. The drug is a retinoid chemical compound that, like vitamin A, decreases the size and secretion of oily sebaceous glands and reduces the amount of bacteria in these glands and on the skin's surface. On the other hand, the prescription drug has been connected with a long list of harmful side effects, including:

• Birth defects: More than a decade ago, the use of Accutane by pregnant women was linked to congenital birth defects, premature births and miscarriages. As a result, the FDA established a program in which no woman was allowed to take Accutane while pregnant. In fact, the FDA required that female patients use at least two forms of effective birth control at least one month before taking Accutane and one month after.
• Depression: Accutane also has been linked to serious mental health issues, including depression and suicidal thoughts. These links were established by Accutane users experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, sadness, irritability, appetite changes, difficulty concentrating, thoughts of hurting themselves and loss of interest in everyday activities.
• Bowel disease: More recently, Accutane has become associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), a condition that causes inflammation of the small and large intestine, as well as with Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis. Signs of these problems include severe stomach, chest or bowel pain; difficult or painful swallowing; severe heartburn; diarrhea; rectal bleeding; yellowing of the skin; and dark urine.

Researchers have also examined whether a broad variety of vision, hearing, bone and muscle problems are linked to Accutane. Citing financial reasons, the drug's manufacturer removed it from the U.S. market, but generic forms such as Amnesteem, Claravis and Sotret are still found.

Our Aggressive Approach to Accutane Injury Cases

At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we are aggressive when it comes to protecting patients' rights in the event of a pharmaceutical injury, even when pitted against large pharmaceutical companies that manufacture and market dangerous products such as Accutane. We exhaustively research and investigate every case, including consulting with highly qualified medical experts. By investing our resources, hard work and dedication, we're confident in our ability to deliver successful results – whether it's a verdict or settlement.

We have tried cases in state and federal courts across the country, including several cases in which they have served on the steering committees in complex, multi-district litigation (MDL). Our goal is to make our clients' world a better place for them and others who may face the risk of suffering similar harm. We strive to obtain compensation for our clients that will pay for their medical expenses, including any surgery, therapy or medication that may be required as a result of being treated for severe acne with Accutane and its generic versions. We realize that in many cases the victims may be infants who have suffered birth defects. We work hard to make sure that they receive the funds that will provide for their lifetime needs.

To learn more about what can be done for your case, please contact a Houston Accutane lawyer from our firm as soon as possible.