Comments on: Roche Wins Accutane Lawsuit On Court Reversal

By: connie

connie — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:56:35 +0000

I just heard about the connection between Accutane and IBD yesterday. I can’t believe it! I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 2 years ago and couldn’t understand how this happened to me. Now I know. I took Accutane 2 times once in 1997 and then again in 2000. I firmly believe this drug caused this desease. I’m 45 and now I have a future to worry about when I will lose my colon, will I get cancer? Can I make love with my hubby without worring I’ll have a humiliating accident, or ever get to travel? I will never be the same. Was it worth it? That depends on how vain I am. No acne today (but fatique, bloody stools and urgent diareah everyday). BTW - if you suffer from this, I found a wonderful remedy that lessens symptoms…tapioca flour - google it. I tried and it realy helps even better than my meds. What do I do now? Get involved in a lawsuit?

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:18:22 +0000

Roche is in trouble. More and more studies are showing that accutane DOES cause IBD. They may have won one case, but time is not on their side. They have tried their best to drag these cases out, now that strategy us going to cost them big time. The longer they wait to settle the more incriminating info will continue to come out. I feel bad for the people who have suffered as a result of Accutane.

By: Renee

Renee — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:30:26 +0000

I have also lost my colon, rectum and anus due to Crohn’s (close relative of IBS) which developed shortly after completing a course of Accutane. No testing was done by my Dermatologist at the time presumably because I had never had any bowel issues before going on the drug. We always suspected that it was due to the drug as my bowel habits changed drastically.
If I were to do it again, I would not go on the drug.

By: GAIL JONES

GAIL JONES — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:18:28 +0000

MY 36 YEAR OLD SON TOLD ME HAD A STOMACH THIS WEEK THAT KEPT HIM UP TIL 3 AM. HE ALSO HAS SHINGLES. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED AND MENTION THIS TO HIM. HE TOOK ACCUTANE WHEN HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL. HE WAS BORN IN 1973. WHAT SORT OF DOCTOR SHOULD HE GO TO IF HE WANTS TO GET CHECKED OUT.? THANKS

By: Lichtstrasse 35

Lichtstrasse 35 — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:32:10 +0000

Hi Stephanie - My derm was a global KOL who was involved in the clinical trials, so when the drug was approved he was already experienced in its use. But at that time, I think I only needed to do a baseline LFT and another at the end of the course. There was no discussion of any psychological effects, no special requirements for female patients (I’m male), etc. I think that once the Roche marketing machine got rolling and many more patients were on the drug, the serious AEs starting coming in rapidly and you know the rest. I would be curious to know how your son found out about the drug to the point that he really wanted to go on it. The good news is that there are topical treatments now approved for mild to moderate acne that don’t present the risk profile of any systemic medication.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:40:50 +0000

Lichtsrasse, this may have been an excellent drug for you, but unfortunately the doctors are prescribing it even for mild acne! My son really wanted to go on the drug, but luckily I was the wall between him and the doctor as the doctors were all ready to give the prescription even though he nothing even close to recalcitrant cystic acne.

By: Lichtstrasse 35

Lichtstrasse 35 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:22:51 +0000

Sad to hear about anyone that has severe AEs with this drug, but I took 2 courses of it when it launched around 1983 and the results were excellent. It was $200 per month and you had to take it for 5 months. Luckily I had a good insurance plan and it only cost me $10 per month. Of course, today, recalcitrant cystic acne would probably be considered a “lifestyle disease”!