In the early to mid 90’s, people were being prescribed Accutane for their acne and other skin issues. However, no one really knew for sure what harm this medicine would cause to them and their families. Currently, the company responsible for the birth of Accutane, a synthetic Vitamin A prescription drug, is Hoffman – LaRoche. They are facing multiple lawsuits of psychological and physical injuries that occurred after an intake of their medicament. Due to the lack of accurate information and severe irresponsibility issues, many people have been caught up in an endless fight for their lives and their bodies’ sake just because they trusted their doctor’s prescription of the drug Accutane.

Accutane’s negative side effects include illnesses and disorders of slight level such as hair loss and eye dryness. Accutane also causes more severe problems like inflammatory bowel syndrome, irritable bowel disease, and even Crohn’s disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (otherwise known as IBD) is a family of inflammatory conditions of the colon and also the small intestine.  IBD is also a possible side effect of Accutane. The most severe types of inflammatory bowel disease are the aforementioned Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. In many cases, patients who have used Accutane have later undergone a surgical procedure to try and mend what has been broken by the medication, unsuccessfully leading to the removal of parts of the colon or intestines.

Many wonder what the big fuss is. The problem is that the percentage of patients who had taken Accutane and later had some sickness that is an inflammatory bowel disease is a lot higher than usual. It is immense. Currently in the United States (the medicine has been prescribed also in Canada and Australia) there are above a thousand claims pending trial in both federal and state courts. Up till now, the Hoffman – LaRoche Company has given above 56 million US dollars as settlements.

Settlements do little to make things better for patients who suffer from severe illnesses such as irritable bowel disease. A settlement may make it possible for a patient to seek some medical remedy for their condition. A patient should not have to spend his or her own money to pay for hospital bills incurred by taking Accutane. If you got irritable bowel disease after taking Accutane, you should contact an attorney.