accutaneforacne-blog

[accutaneforacne-blog]

Accutane and Isotretinoin

Hoffman-LaRoche began producing Accutane in 1982, which quickly gained a reputation as an effective and powerful solution for serious acne. Its reputation garnered it millions of loyal customers who relied on and trusted the drug to deal with their acne. After the patent on Accutane ran out, Isotretinoin (the active ingredient in Accutane) was produced under a variety of names. Accutane and Isotretinoin's reputation has recently gone under a serious reversal, however. Reports and studies have shown a link between Isotretinoin and a variety of long-term illnesses, injuries, and suffering developing in a growing amount of users of the drug. Because of these reported links, many people who have taken the drug in the past are seeking information about Accutane and its variant forms, medical treatment options that are available to treat the conditions connected to this drug, and legal options that might be available to those that have suffered from damaging side effects. Fortunately, there are experts available in a variety of fields who can provide specific information regarding all of these concerns, and can help victims of Accutane secure the medical and legal assistance they need.

What is Accutane?

Accutane is a brand name for the medication Isotretinoin, a vitamin A derivative originally developed as a cancer treatment, especially brain and pancreatic cancer. Starting in the early 1980s, the pharmaceutical company Hoffman-LaRoche began to distribute and manufacture the drug as a treatment for severe and cystic acne. Soon afterward, Isotretinoin was judged as being effective in the treatment and management of other skin diseases, including harlequin-type ichthyosis which is characterized by the development of a thick keratin layer in the skin of a fetus (which resembles scales). However, studies have linked Isotretinoin to certain serious diseases, indicating that the drug might not be not safe for some patients. Although Hoffman-LaRoche stopped production of the brand name Accutane drug, today, Isotretinoin is produced under the following names:

Roaccutane (produced Hoffman-LaRoche)

Amnesteem (distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc)

Claravis (distributed by Barr Pharmaceuticals)

Sotret (distributed by Ranbaxy Laboratories)

There are only some of the brand names and distributors or producers of Accutane / Isotretinoin derivatives. It's important to realize that Isotretinoin is the active ingredient in all of these drugs, which makes them potentially dangerous as they can cause numerous side-effects similar to those that have been linked to Accutane. It's important to know about the effects Isotretinoin can have on people, especially if you suspect that you or a loved one has been adversely afflicted by the drug or if you have taken the drug in the past. Some of the most common side-effects are:

Birth defects in babies born to women who took Isotretinoin

Crohn's Disease

Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Irritable Bowel Disease

Depression

Hepatitis

Any of these conditions can have life-altering consequences. If you have been injured or have developed a health problem as the result of taking Accutane or another Isotretinoin derivative drug, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the medical bills you are almost certain to incur as a result of treating your condition. An experienced Accutane lawyer can help you better understand the legal options available to you as a victim of this medication.