Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Accutane

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to two chronic diseases that cause intestinal inflammation: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Recent research has linked both forms of IBD with the use of Accutane (Isotretinoin).

What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not the same as a more common and far less serious condition known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Unlike irritable bowel syndrome, IBD comes with physical signs of damage and/or disease to the tissues of the intestines.

The two types of IBD, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, differ mainly in the location of the intestinal track that they affect. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine or colon. Crohn’s disease most commonly affects the end part of the small intestine (the terminal ileum) and parts of the large intestine. Also, while the inflammation from ulcerative colitis affects only the lining of the bowel, inflammation from Crohn’s disease reaches deeper, usually involving the entire bowel wall. Crohn’s disease potentially can involve any part of the intestinal track.

Accutane Side Effects

The IBD side effects of Accutane have an extremely long latency period. Accutane side effects can happen years after a person has stopped taking Accutane. However, to have a strong legal claim, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis must have appeared within five years after you stopped taking Accutane, or while you were still taking Accutane.

Legal Rights of Former Accutane Users Diagnosed with IBD

Juries have already found that Accutane manufacturer Hoffman-La Roche failed to adequately warn the public of the possibility of developing serious side effects from taking Accutane. Anyone who has developed IBD in the form of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis may have a strong legal claim against the Accutane/Isotretinoin manufacturer, and be entitled to compensation. Contact DeCarli Law for a free telephone consultation if you or a loved one developed IBD, Crohn’s diease or ulcerative colitis while taking Accutane, or within five years after last taking Accutane.