Accutane Lawsuits
By Aaron Larson
August, 2005
Contents
What is Accutane
Accutane, manufactured in the United States by a division of Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc., is a prescription medication chemically similar to Vitamin A. Accutane is prescribed to treat serious forms of cystic acne.
Factual Background
Accutane in Pregnancy - Use of Accutane during prenancy is associated with certain birth defects. As a result of fetal risk, the manufacturer initiated an educational program to emphasize to female patients the importance of pregnancy prevention. The packaging includes a graphic insert which warns of potential birth defects. Due to the number of women who nonetheless become pregnant while taking Accutane, additional safety protocols were implemented in 2002, including the requirement that women receiving Accutane twice test negative for pregnancy, and sign a commitment to use two forms of birth control while under treatment. In 2005, the FDA again strengthened warnings about Accuane use, and initiated a new requirement that doctors prescribing Accutane and women receiving the medication participate in a national database.
Accutane and Depression - The use of Accutane by teenagers is associated with depression and possibly also with suicidal behavior. Following two high-profile suicides by teenagers who were using Accutane, the manufacturer was provided additional warnings about depression as a possible side-effect of Accutane use.
Accutane Litigation
The manufacturer imsists that no mental health problems associated with the use of Accutane. Some product liability lawyers assert that the association between Accutane use and depression or suicical behavior is very real. They also assert that the warnings provided with Accutate have not been sufficient to protect users from its dangers, both in terms of depression and of possible birth defects..