Because people typically think of side effects as things that they get while theyre actually taking substances or medications, they often fail to consider longer term effects that might pop up later. Injuries sometimes dont show up with symptoms until years later, and this can also be true of the side effects from medications. If youve ever taken the acne medication Accutane, you need to know that this drug has been shown to have many long-term side effects that were not expected at all.
This information shouldnt totally set you on edge. You should, though, be concerned that you get the information you need to look out for Accutane side effects that may crop up in the future. Here is what you need to know about the potential side effects from this drug and the types of symptoms you can look for with these effects.
Potential Side Effects
Accutane has many potential side effects, including depression and dry skin. One of its more common and least expected side effects, though, is that of inflammation in the bowels. This drug has been intrinsically linked to a number of bowel diseases, including Crohns disease, IBS, and ulcerative colitis. All of these problems involve portions of the bowels that are inflamed, which causes any number of related issues.
Its important that you do your research on these potential side effects so that you know what they look like. These effects arent terribly common, but many who have taken Accutane have experienced them. They are more likely to occur in those who have a family history of bowel problems or who have a personal history of minor issues with the bowels.
Potential Symptoms to Look For
You cant know that you have a problem until it starts having symptoms. One of the issues with Accutane ulcerative colitis and other issues is that the medication can cause these issues months or years after the patient is finished taking it. Even if you have been off of this powerful drug for a while, look out for symptoms like diarrhea, lack of appetite, unexplained or sudden weight loss, and severe stomach pains. They may also be accompanied by fever if the problem gets terrible, and these problems can also cause symptoms like severe fatigue.
These may not be the only symptoms those with these bowel issues may face. However, this is a good list of things to keep an eye out for if youve ever taken Accutane.
If you have had these symptoms recently, it may be time to head to the doctor to get checked out. You need to know whether or not you have an inflamed bowel disease so that you can deal with it as soon as possible. Treatment includes medication to alleviate symptoms as well as lifestyle and dietary changes.
Also, many who have taken Accutane only to later develop one of these diseases have taken the makers of the drug to court for medical expenses. Many of these suits have succeeded. To see if youre eligible for such a lawsuit, you need to contact a qualified attorney familiar with the Accutane lawsuits.
Author Resource:
Jim Grayson is the author of this article on Accutane Ulcerative Colitis .
Find more information about Accutane Lawsuit 2010 here.