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A
judge, U.S. District Judge James Moody, on January 29, 2005 decided
not to allow as many as one million documents produced by the makers
of Accutane this Friday from being made public. This ruling was made
even as questions are being raised about whether Accutane plays a
role in suicides, birth defects and other serious side effects
experienced by some who use it. The decision applies to multiple
lawsuits filed against Accutane's maker, Hoffman-La Roche Inc.
Lawsuits
against Accutane are becoming more common and are such complex
litigation, the federal court system has invoked a special rule
appointing Moody to preside over the management of the cases, which
still will go to trial in their original jurisdictions.
A Food and Drug Administration researcher told a Senate committee in
November that Accutane was one of five drugs that should be studied
for potential withdrawal from the market. Moreover, since the late
1990s Accutane's label has warned that adverse reactions reported by
some users include "depression, psychosis, and, rarely,
suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and suicide."
One
study about Accutane, published last April in the Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences, showed that the active component of
Accutane reduced cell creation in the brains of mice that had
received clinical doses. In turn, that outcome appeared to impair
the mice's ability to learn a maze task.
A
second study is undergoing scientific peer review in preparation for
March publication in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Twenty-eight acne sufferers received either Accutane or an
antibiotic in the study.
Hoffman-La Roche, the drug’s maker, contends the drug is safe
saying that Accutane is safe when prescribed and used appropriately,
Roche says. Many dermatologists and acne patients also say it's more
effective than other drugs.
If you have used Accutane and have
concerns, contact you physician and think about meeting with a knowledgable
attorney.
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