In 2004, the FDA named Accutane as one of the top five most dangerous prescription drugs available on the

market. In 2009, Accutane manufacturer Hoffman LaRoche recalled the drug. According to Hoffman LaRoche, the recall resulted not only from generic competition but also from the increased cost of defending the drug against lawsuits. Since the withdrawal of the product, Hoffman LaRoche has continued to face numerous claims against Accutane, with damages paid amounting to over $56 million.

Accutane Box

First marketed in 1982, Accutane originally treated certain types of cancer. It became a popular acne medication as well and listed as one of Hoffman LaRoches top-selling drugs. Accutane, however, has been linked to an increased risk of developing Crohns disease, which is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Though this disorder usually affects the large and small intestines, it can attack any portion of the digestive tract, and two-thirds to three-quarters of patients will require surgery at some point in their lives. A study presented in the American Journal of Gastroenterology has also found that the use of Accutane quadruples the risk of ulcerative colitis, a form of IBD that affects the large intestine. In addition, the drug has been linked to an increased risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an incurable bowel disorder. While the painful symptoms of IBD and IBS can be reduced, a person with IBD or IBS will suffer from these symptoms for his or her entire life.