HAGENS BERMAN

Date Filed: October 1, 2010

Hagens Berman seeks justice for individuals claiming that Accutane (isotretinoin), a powerful prescription drug intended to treat acne, may have caused painful, life-changing gestational problems including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Crohn's disease.

Attorneys believe that Switzerland-based pharmaceutical company Roche, makers of Accutane, had reasonable evidence indicating the possibly of serious gestational problems when taking the prescription drug, yet failed to issue these warnings to consumers as required by law.

Since 1997, the Food and Drug Administration has received several reports of inflammatory bowel disease it associated with the use of Accutane. In nearly all the cases, the agency determined it was "highly probable" or "probable" that Accutane had caused the patients to develop the disease.

Other recently reported side effects include impaired night vision, pancreatitis, hypertension, back pain, nosebleeds, nail changes, and itching. A FDA-related study also suggests that there may be a link between Accutane use and suicidal tendencies, thoughts or actions.

Roche pulled Accutane from the US market last year after the FDA required a new warning for the drug that read: "Inflammatory bowel disease: Accutane has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease (including regional ileitis) in patients without a prior history of intestinal disorders. In some instances, symptoms have been reported to persist after Accutane treatment has been stopped. Patients experiencing abdominal pain, rectal bleeding or severe diarrhea should discontinue Accutane immediately."

Roche Pharmaceuticals has been the subject of a large number of lawsuits because of the severe side effects associated with this drug.

In some cases, allegations about Roche’s failure to warn of Accutane side effects have led to jury awards totaling millions of dollars.

The attorneys at Hagens Berman have been helping victims receive compensation for their pharmaceutical injuries for almost 20 years. We are a large national law firm with the vast resources needed to battle the high-powered legal teams employed by the pharmaceutical companies.

Updates

April 8, 2011: Hagens Berman partner Rob Carey praised a New Jersey jury's decision to award $2 million to a woman who suffered serious gastrointestinal damage after taking Accutane.