Ulcerative Colitis Surgery a Severe Side Effect of Acne Drug Accutane

Friday, 24 December 2010 06:36

Ulcerative Colitis Surgeries needed for Accutane Side Effect Victims

Millions of people over the years have suffered from severe forms of acne.  While most people consider acne to be a temporary condition that only affects people during adolescence, the fact of the matter is that severe cases of this condition can be ruinous for an entire lifetime.  Therefore, when Accutane was introduced by Roche Pharmaceuticals in order to treat this condition, it was met with open arms.  Unfortunately, the need for help from Accutane injury attorneys soon arose because of serious problems experienced by patients who were using this medication.  One such Accutane side effect known as ulcerative colitis is described below.

Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms and Corrective Surgery for Side Effects

Ulcerative colitis is a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD.  This disease attacks the digestive tract of a person and leads to constant, intense pain and diarrhea.  Specifically, ulcerative colitis attacks the inner lining of the colon and the rectum, and if this disease continues without a diagnosis and treatment it can actually put a person’s life in danger.  These dangers can include internal bleeding, colon or intestinal perforation and severe dehydration.

If medications and other forms of treatment are not effective in removing the dangers presented by ulcerative colitis, more radical steps may be necessary to save the patient’s life.  These radical steps involve surgery, and the scope of the surgery that’s performed will be defined by the overall progress of the disease.

For instance, some patients will have to have their entire large intestine removed and/or their entire colon.  While some of these surgeries will preserve the structure of the rectum and allow patients to continue to have normal bowel movements, others will require the attachment of an ostomy bag that will be used to collect human waste.  This bag will need to be emptied and replaced regularly.

Lawsuits for Acne Drug Accutane: Attorneys Can Help

Clearly, anyone who needs surgery to correct a severe form of ulcerative colitis will face long-term pain, suffering and a substantial lowering of their quality of life.  If this includes you or someone you love and you’re in this situation because you took an acne medication, contact the Accutane lawsuit attorney at the Phillips National Injury Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.