What is Accutane?
Accutane is a medication used to treat severe acne and was initially approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in May 1982. However, there have been many recent reports of dangerous side effects linked to the use of Accutane, including suicide, depression, severe birth defects, and damage to the liver, kidneys, and colon. Have you or a loved one suffered from severe side effects of Accutane? A New York Accutane lawyer can help assist you in legally filing for compensation. Contact a New York Accutane Lawyer today!
Depression & Suicide Linked to Accutane
In 1998, the FDA advised doctors who prescribed Accutane to carefully watch their Accutane patients for symptoms of depression. Accutane may cause depression, psychosis, and on rare occasions, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide.
A congressional investigation of Accutane found that the suicide rate among Accutane users was unusually high and especially high for otherwise healthy people who showed no signs of depression or thoughts of suicide before they started using Accutane. Though Accutane's package warning indicated a potential relationship between Accutane and depression since 1986, it wasn't until February of 1998 that the manufacturer of Accutane, Roche Laboratories, issued a letter to physicians in which they added the following to the WARNINGS section of Prescribing Information for Accutane:
"Psychiatric disorders: Accutane may cause depression, psychosis and, rarely, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide. Discontinuation of Accutane therapy may be insufficient; further evaluation may be necessary. No mechanism of action has been established for these events."
As of early December 2000, the FDA has received reports of 66 suicides and 1,373 cases of psychiatric problems among Accutane users.
Accutane Side Effects Harm Unborn Babies
Birth defects associated with the use of Accutane are so severe that doctors routinely advise and caution women to not become pregnant while on the medication. Some doctors have even advised women to have abortions due to the severe harm Accutane can have on a fetus. The harmful side effects of Accutane on a human fetus can continue for at least one month after the drug has been discontinued.
If a woman becomes pregnant while taking Accutane, there is an extremely high risk of fetal malformations, even if a woman only takes Accutane for a limited period of time.
Birth defects associated with Accutane include:
- Hydrocephaly (enlargement of the fluid filled spaces in the brain)
- Microcephaly (small head)
- Mental retardation
- Ear and eye abnormalities (vision and hearing problems)
- Cleft lip and palate
- Heart defects
- Learning Disabilities and speech problems
- Brain Injuries
- Seizures
- Feeding Problems
There is also a high risk of miscarriage for pregnant women taking Accutane. The drug can cause severe birth defects in the early weeks after conception when a woman often does not know she is pregnant. Even babies without obvious malformations may have mental retardation or learning disabilities.
Thus, great cautionary steps must be taken to ensure that women in New York take active measures in preventing pregnancy. Women who take Accutane should also use two forms of contraception in order to prevent pregnancy while they are on the acne drug. Prescribing doctors must perform regular pregnancy tests on female patients who take the drug before writing new prescriptions each month.
Other Common Side Effects
The more severe Accutane side effects can also include:
- Psychosis
- Tachycardia (a rapid or racing heartbeat)
- Depression
- Vascular thrombotic disease
- Heart palpitations
- Stroke
- Brain damage
- Organ failure
- Negatively impact blood sugar levels
The more common mild side effects of Accutane include mild acne flare, dryness of skin, lips and mucous membranes, cheilitis, itch, skin fragility, skin peeling, rash, flushing, photosensitivity, nose bleeds, dry eyes, eye irritation, conjunctivitis, reduced tolerance to contact lenses, hyperlipidaemia, raised liver enzymes, headaches, hair thinning, myalgia and/or arthralgia. Are you suffering from any of these symptoms due to the acne preventing drug? An lawyer can help you! Contact a New York lawyer today for more information on recovering compensation!
Legal Help for Accutane Users
If you, a family member or a friend have suffered a serious illness, injury, or medical condition due to the use of Accutane, please contact a New York Accutane Lawyer of Finz & Finz, P.C. today at (888) FINZ-FIRM to speak with an experienced defective drug lawyer now or fill out the Free Case Evaluation form on the right of this page.
