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drug_recall accutaneThere exists a strong link between Accutane and suicide that has been well established for years. Accutane is a prescription medication that is intended for use in patients with severe recalcitrant cystic acne, though it is often prescribed to people who suffer from mild to moderate acne. Accutane was approved by the FDA in May 1982 and is currently prescribed in approximately 80 different countries. The standard cost of six weeks of first round treatment runs between five hundred and six hundred dollars.
Accutane and suicide risks have been linked ever since the drug was first available on the United States drug market. Less than one year after its US debut, Accutane was reported to have prompted one attempted suicide in a patient with no prior history of mental health problems. In 1984 the first case of Accutane and suicide was reported. In subsequent years, a multitude of cases were reported to the drug''s maker, Hoffmann-La Roche, about depression, suicidal ideations, attempts, and successful actions, and other adverse psychiatric side effects suffered as a result of Accutane use.
The causal relationship between Accutane and suicide has been well established by what the FDA calls “rechallenge”. A rechallenge is a significant indicator of the link between a drug and an adverse event. In the case of Accutane, a positive rechallenge means that a patient was taking Accutane and suicide thoughts, attempts or other adverse events were experienced, the patient then went off Accutane and ceased to experience these symptoms, and then the patient resumed Accutane treatment and experienced a resurgence of these adverse health consequences. Obviously there is no possibility of rechallenge in patients whose Accutane use prompted a successful suicide attempt.
Accutane and suicide have been linked in several cases. Between 1998 and 2000 Accutane was shown to cause 54 suicides, 51 suicide attempts, 111 cases of suicide ideation, the hospitalization of 160 people, and over 1000 adverse psychiatric events. This came after a change in patient product information in 1998. In response to numerous reports linking Accutane and suicide, the FDA required that Accutane labeling include the following warning “Accutane may cause depression, psychosis and, rarely, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, suicide, and aggressive and/or violent behaviors. Discontinuation of Accutane therapy may be insufficient; further evaluation may be necessary.”
Despite these warnings of Accutane and suicide tendencies in patients who are otherwise deemed mentally sound, several cases of suicide are still reported as a result of Accutane use. As of 2002, 173 successful suicide attempts had been made by people who were taking Accutane. As if the causal relationship between Accutane and suicide weren''t enough, Accutane is also associated with numerous other adverse reactions including birth defects, spontaneous abortion, vision and hearing problems, erratic bone growth, joint pain, Chrohn''s disease, and a number of other serious side effects. In November 2004 the FDA named Accutane in the top five drugs most injurious to human health. If you are taking Accutane and experience any symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts, it is vital that you seek immediate medical attention.
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A new study warns that approximately one in three patients who took the acne drug Accutane experienced a rise in cholesterol levels and more than 40 percent showed increased levels of triglycerides, or blood fats—a higher percentage than what previous ...
Ever since Accutane made its 1982 U.S. debut, intended to treat severe forms of acne that failed to respond to other treatments, it has been the source of medical and regulatory controversy. Now, a Florida lawsuit against Accutane drugmaker Hoffmann-L...