Accutane®

Accutane® is used to treat a type of severe acne (nodular acne) that has not been helped by other treatments, including antibiotics. However, Accutane® can cause serious side effects. Possible serious side effects of taking Accutane® include birth defects and mental disorders:

Birth defects. Accutane® can cause birth defects (deformed babies) if taken by a pregnant woman. It can also cause miscarriage (losing the baby before birth), premature (early) birth, or death of the baby. Do not take Accutane® if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while you are taking Accutane®. Do not get pregnant for 1 month after you stop taking Accutane®. Also, if you get pregnant while taking Accutane®, stop taking it right away and call your prescriber.

Mental problems and suicide. Some patients, while taking Accutane® or soon after stopping Accutane®, have become depressed or developed other serious mental problems. Symptoms of these problems include sad, "anxious" or empty mood, irritability, anger, loss of pleasure or interest in social or sports activities, sleeping too much or too little, changes in weight or appetite, school or work performance going down, or trouble concentrating. Some patients taking Accutane® have had thoughts about hurting themselves or putting an end to their own lives (suicidal thoughts). Some people tried to end their own lives. And some people have ended their own lives. There were reports that some of these people did not appear depressed. No one knows if Accutane® caused these behaviors or if they would have happened even if the person did not take Accutane®.

Source: fda.gov

If you or a loved one has been harmed by Accutane®, you may want to contact an Accutane® attorney for more information.