The side effects that are associated with Accutane® are relatively well known, but less attention is typically paid to generic versions of the drug that use the same medication, isotretinoin.
Isotretinoin, the active ingredient in Accutane®, is also found in generic versions of the drug called Amnesteem, Claravis and Sotret, according to DrugWatch.com. These medications carry the same side effects as Accutane®, which include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
A study published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology revealed that patients who took Accutane® were twice as likely to develop IBD as patients who never took the drug, which is used to treat acne, reports the news source.
According to the news provider, none of the patient medication guides for Amnesteem, Claravis and Sotret mention the link betweein isotreinoin and IBD or any other gastrointestinal problems.
There are two types of IBD, according to the news source, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both of these conditions are chronic and cause severe cases of stomach cramps and diarrhea in patients. Occasionally the problems become so serious that surgery is required.
