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Accutane and how it relates to Crohn's
Disease
Ask most people what they think of when
they consider ulcers, and they'll respond with ideas
about stress and stomach lesions. Crohn's Disease, which
can be explained as a chronic condition of the intestine
where the lining is slowly erodes and then becomes riddled
with ulcers. Although the precise cause of Crohn's Disease
is not known, it is believed that environmental factors
can play a role in its development, and one of the environmental
factors that has been linked to this chronic (in other
words, incurable) disease is the use of the popular
acne medication Accutane.
Accutane, which was approved by the FDA
in 1982 for use as an acne treatment, was thought by
many to be a great way for teens and others with severe
acne to overcome their skin problems. Unfortunately
for the makers of the drug, a company called Hoffmann-La
Roche, Accutane has proven so harmful that it has been
taken off the market. Hoffmann-La Roche has also lost
millions of dollars in settlements linked to side effects
which the medication has had on its patients.
Crohn's Disease, which is a more severe
disorder of the intestines than the related general
IBD (Inflammatory
Bowel Disease), affects the intestine by
first creating aphthous ulcers (small holes in the intestinal
lining). These then develop into full-fledged ulcers.
This causes the intestine to narrow, ultimately resulting
in blockages, punctures, and internal bleeding. Because
Crohn's Disease goes through periods of remission, when
no symptoms are experienced by the sufferer, it can
be difficult to diagnose. This makes critical the idea
of seeking treatment no matter how mild a patient feels
their symptoms might be. Even if Crohn's Disease is
not found to be the cause of discomfort or bleeding,
there are other Accutane-related issues which may cause
similar symptoms.
Crohn's Disease, which is a more severe
disorder of the intestines than the related general
IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), affects the intestine
by first creating aphthous ulcers (small holes in the
intestinal lining). These then develop into full-fledged
ulcers. This causes the intestine to narrow, ultimately
resulting in blockages, punctures, and internal bleeding.
Because Crohn's Disease goes through periods of remission,
when no symptoms are experienced by the sufferer, it
can be difficult to diagnose. This makes critical the
idea of seeking treatment no matter how mild a patient
feels their symptoms might be. Even if Crohn's Disease
is not found to be the cause of discomfort or bleeding,
there are other Accutane-related issues which may cause
similar symptoms.
While there is no curative treatment for
Crohn's Disease, therapies have enabled those who suffer
from this disorder to live comparatively normal lives.
There are anti-inflammatory drugs and immune system
suppressors, antibiotics, other medications, and surgery
options open to those who suffer from this condition.
In May of 2007, Hoffmann-La Roche was
ordered to pay $2,600,000 in damages, with Accutane
cited as the cause of the IBD suffered by patients who
had used it. This was the first step in acknowledging
this lesser-known side effect - until then, while there
had been other judgments, none were specifically for
IBD
or Crohn's Disease.
For more Accutane information please view
the links below:
Accutane
and how it relates to Crohn’s Disease
Accutane and
how it relates to: Ulcerative Colitis
Accutane
Info | Accutane Lawsuits
| Accutane Attorneys
Accutane Side
Effects | Accutane &
IBS
Accutane Case Evaluation
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