Accutane Side Effects

I went this medication when it first came on the market in 1982. Yes, it cleared up my acne but I truly believe that this drug made me infertile. Does anyone know the stats on accutane causing infertility? As I have had 3 endoscopies and a colonscopy before the age of 43. I have chronic heartburn and problems with my bowels. One doctor indicated that I had IBS but I never was officially diagnosed nor was the accutane indicated for my infertility issues. I guess I'm screwed sice that statue of limitations is up for me of course I didn't know about all these issues up until a few years ago. I am very concerend though about my nephew-He is 18 and is on accutane. He has horrible cystic acne and nothing has worked for him. Last I saw him, His face looked really good-My concern is for his mental/physical health later in life. What's his recourse with this accutance. Should his parents hire an attorney?

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I have the exact same problem. Took accutane at 15 for 9 months, didnt drink once and got my monthly blood tests to see if my kidneys were ok. Now i have diarreah, costipation, painful intercourse, bone and joint pain, depression is resulting from feeling like i am 80 years old!

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Both of my sons, now ages 30 and 29 took accutance as teenagers. Both are v ery healthy and all their genetic tests look could but both are COMPLETELY sterile - no spern, no sperm generating cells. Several people feel this is the result of accutance because if you look in the literature that comes with the product, you will see that it sometimes causes infertility in rats. There are many women on this site and the one specifically relating to accutane and infertility who have poor egg quality and cannot conceive who believe this is related to their accutane treatment. Infertility is something that doesn't have any symptoms until you actually want to have a child and it is my feeling there is a lot of it out there in people who have take accutane, many of whom are just now getting to this point in their lives. We need a class action suit.

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The side effects increase with age. Of course we all age but Accutane accelerates the process on the inside of the body. That is why we all have these chronic problems. I took Accutane in 1986 and by 1987 was totally incapacitated. Down through the years I have struggled with IBS, intractable clinical depression, suicide ideation, had surgery on my arthritic feet 10 years after, do not sleep unless I take the drug Trazodone, my immune system is shot, my spine is shot, and worst of all the majority of people look at you like you have a hole in your head when you try to explain Accutane. They tend to not associate the health problems with the drug since there is a time lapse between ending therapy and the beginning of the worst side effects. If the health problems began while you were taking the stuff it would be easy to see it was the culprit. The FDA and the Washington DC pharmaceutical lobbyists are slaves to the big money this drug makes and you guessed it ....we are screwed.

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Generally, according to FDA reports, it is only known to cause a problem with women of reproductive age that take it. Which is why they usually have to agree not to take it, while having unprotected sex.

As to any recourse, in many cases, there isn't any, unless a manufacturer willing hid possible side effects of any given medication. Otherwise, since typical side effect and rare side effect lists are available for public perusal, it is usually considered that you have agreed to accept the risk by taking the medication. I know that doesn't really help, anyone, I am just speaking as to how the laws current stand. There are always exceptions, of course, but as long as someone was informed of the possible risks, even if it was just being given a side effect sheet by their pharmacy, a lawyer will usually be a waste of time and money.

Cameron, do you have any proof that your infertility was caused by the medication?

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