Makers of Accutane, Roche Laboratories, have settled a lawsuit in Illinois before it reached court. Accutane has been implicated in more than 1,000 lawsuits, claiming side effects ranging from IBS to severe depression. Roche Laboratories has spent more than its fair share on payday cash loan to settle lawsuits – but what is the fate of Accutane?
Accutane used to treat acne
Accutane is no longer on the market. However, generic versions of the drug as well as comparable drugs under other brand names are nevertheless on the market. All these do is reduce oil released by glands under the skin. Accutane, also as the other drugs, were meant as a last resort if other acne medication didn’t work. Other Accutane-like drugs include Sotret, Amnesteem and any generic isotretinoin.
The side effects of Accutane
Because of the severe side effects associated with Accutane and comparable drugs, it is offered only under very severe restrictions. Before these restrictions were put in place, though, Accutane was typically prescribed by a doctor without unusual amounts of counseling or caution to the patient. Accutane and similar drugs can cause depression, Crohn’s Disease, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, severe birth defects and liver damage. The drugs can also cause a skin condition where the skin begins to separate from the body or “burn” from the inside out.
Accutane lawsuits
As Accutane was the first on the market, a lot more than 1,000 lawsuits were filed against Roche Laboratories. Most of these lawsuits are based on the argument the prescribing doctors did not sufficiently warn patients of the side effects of Accutane. Six Accutane lawsuits have now gone to trial and all were lost by Roche. Verdicts against the drugmaker have cost more than $ 56 million. Accutane has been on the market ever since the early 1980s, and there have been more than 16 million individuals have taken the drug.
Nevertheless on the market is Accutane
Despite the severe side effects, Accutane and other isotretinoin drugs are nevertheless on the market. A program called iPLEDGE calls for extensive counseling for any patient taking the drug. The patient must also agree to use two forms of birth control when taking the drug and must sign documents saying that they understand the dangers associated with taking Accutane.
Sources for the article
Drugs.com
http://www.drugs.com/accutane.html
Newsome Law
http://www.newsomelaw.com/blog/2010/05/12/accutane-lawsuit-leads-pre-trial-settlement-roche
About Lawsuits
http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/settlement-accutane-lawsuit-prior-to-trial-10157/
