Researchers looked at data from 87 health insurance providers and found more than 8,000 people had been diagnosed with IBD. The data also showed that people taking Accutane were four times more likely to develop ulcerative colitis, and that a person’s risk of developing the disorder increased in relation to the size of the Accutane dose they were taking.

Roche is facing hundreds of lawsuits from people who say they were not adequately warned of side effects of the drug, claiming they suffered from a host of problems including bowel problems, depression and birth defects. To date, Roche has lost all six cases that have gone to trial, with jury awards totaling $56 million. Accutane is used by more than 16 million people worldwide since it was first introduced in the 1980s as a treatment for severe acne. Last June, Roche discontinued Accutane in the United States, citing mounting legal costs as the reason for the recall.

Earlier this year, Health Canada issued a warning about the safety of Accutane, saying it had received 66 reports of a rare but life-threatening allergic reaction known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) in people who used Accutane. The reports involved both children and adults, and resulted in two deaths.

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › Accutane linked to bowel problem, serious skin condition

According to mediafact.com, other medications have been linked to Stevens Johnson syndrome including Bextra, Celebrex and Daypro, as well as over-the-counter pain relievers such as Motion, Ibuprofen, Children’s Motrin and Advil.

One of the main issues with Stevens Johnson syndrome is the lack of awareness from the patients that are at risk and the doctors that prescribe the medication. In a 2007 press release from SmartBrief.com, Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., of Colorado, along with the Stevens Johnson Syndrome Foundation, recognized August 2007 as the designated SJS Awareness month. Joining Colorado in recognizing this month were Arizona, Alabama, Connecticut and Tennessee.

According to the article, Stevens Johnson Syndrome affects more than two million Americans each year and has resulted in more than 140,000 deaths.

When prescribed a new medication, or even taking over-the-counter medication, educate yourself on Stevens Johnson Syndrome so you can identify the symptoms at the earliest possible stage.

SOURCE: Stevens Johnson Syndrome › Drug reactions bring awareness to Stevens Johnson Syndrome