Accutane Linked to IBD
Accutane, a drug used to treat sever acne, has been linked to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Crohn's Disease, according to research conducted at the University of North Carolina.
While Accutane (generic name isoretinoin) originally was used for treatments in chemotherapy, it has been used since 1982 to treat severe acne where antibiotics don't help. Accutane’s main side effect warning was against pregnant women using it because it may cause birth defects. There also were warnings against symptoms such as depression, suicidal behavior and its impact on IBD.
IBD is made up of two specific illnesses. One of them is Crohn's disease and the other is Ulcerative Colitis. Both of the diseases cause major problems with the digestive system in the body. They both give people repeated inflammation problems that cause a lot of pain. They also give you symptoms like diarrhea and sometimes even bowel obstructions.
Crohn's disease can enter the body through almost any orifice, including the mouth, anus and the intestines. Ulcerative Colitis enters the body primarily through the colon and rectum. Researchers at the University of North Carolina found a significant link between users of Accutane and IBD. They said that Accutane users had almost two times the chances of getting serious bowel problems than those that didn't use the drug.
For those that use Accutane in its generic form for a long time, the risk of IBD is even higher than those who just use it for a little while. It is likely for these reasons that the manufacturers Accutane removed the drug in 2009, but the generic version is still widely available. At the time, the company claimed the move was for economic reasons.
If you or someone you know have experienced symptoms of IBD while taking Accutane, you should contact your doctor.
