Accutane Birth Defect Prevention

Due to its dangerous side effects, the acne drug Accutane is no longer sold in the United States. Accutane, containing the drug compound isotretinoin, drastically increases a woman’s chance of giving birth to a child with birth defects. Thus, while Accutane was still available, the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, instituted a birth defect prevention program for female Accutane users.

Unfortunately, though, birth defects are not the only harmful side effects of Accutane. Many Accutane users have developed inflammatory bowel disease after taking this drug. To discuss your legal options if you have suffered due to taking Accutane, contact the Accutane drug injury lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 800-761-3187 today.

FDA Requirements for Birth Defect Prevention

Accutane was not intended to be a widely-used acne treatment. Instead, this drug was meant to be utilized as a last option for a suffering patient. However, it was actually prescribed to a large number of individuals, including women of childbearing age. Thus, to prevent birth defects, the FDA created the following requirements for women taking Accutane:

• Register with the federal iPLEDGE program
• Receive warnings or counsel from a physician prior to each month’s prescription
• Provide verification of fulfilling the program’s requirements
• Verify use of birth control methods and negative pregnancy tests

Frustratingly, these requirements do not necessarily work to protect a patient from other side effects that can seriously damage a patient’s digestive system.

Contact Us

If you have taken Accutane and developed a serious side effect because of this medication, there may be legal action available against the drug manufacturer. To learn more about your options if you now have a digestive disorder, contact the Accutane drug injury attorneys of Williams Kherkher today by calling 800-761-3187.