Accutane and Acne

What is Acne?

Acne is a disorder of the sebaceous units found in the skin over most of the body. Sebaceous units consist of a sebaceous "oil" gland, which is connected to a hair follicle (commonly referred to as a pore). The skin of the face, upper back and chest contain the most numerous and largest sebaceous units. Thus, acne is more likely to occur in these regions.

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Acne may occur from a combination of physiological factors involving an excess of oil in the skin and instances of faulty keritinization of skin cells. The sebaceous gland produces an oily substance called sebum, which it empties onto the surface of the skin through the opening of the hair follicle. The function of sebum is to provide a water-resistant, protective coating on the skin. Like all cells that make up the body, skin cells are only viable for a short period of time before they undergo a programmed cell death. In skin cells, this occurs during a process called keratinization. Keratin is a fibrous structural protein that gradually fills skin cells as they reach the outermost layer of the skin, where keratin also provides a waterproof protection for the cells. These skin cells undergo programmed death as they become fully keratinized, after which they are shed from the body and replaced by younger cells. The shedding of keratinized cells also takes place in the lining of the follicles.

An excess secretion of sebum can block the hair follicle. Sometimes the cells of the follicle shed too quickly, clump together and combine with sebum, which may also cause the follicle to become blocked. The mixture of oil and cells causes the skin's natural bacteria, Propionibacterium, to thrive in the blocked follicles. These bacteria produce enzymes that cause the skin to become inflamed. Such inflammation is exhibited by what is commonly known as a pimple or a whitehead. When the blocked follicle can no longer contain its contents, it forms what is known as a blackhead- the follicle bursts and spills its contents onto the nearby skin causing the surrounding skin to also become irritated and inflamed.

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Accutane is used to treat cases of severe of acne

Accutane is a powerful and potent drug intended to be used to treat only cases of severe acne. Severe acne involves inflammation of the skin that far surpasses a typical outbreak of pimples. Severe acne amounts to not only common pimples, but numerous nodules and cysts- large and painful pus-filled lesions lodged deep within the skin.

With close to an 85% rate of success in curing the acne of its users, Accutane has become known as the most effective treatment for cases of severe acne. Unfortunately, despite its effectiveness, Accutane is also beset with dangerous side-effects such as birth defects, inflammatory bowel disease and other severe digestive disorders, heightened levels of cholesterol, and aggressive or suicidal behavior.

If you or a family member has experienced severe side affects while using Accutane, such as inflammatory bowel disease, and you would like to speak to a professional about your rights, please fill out this short form and an experienced member of Seeger Weiss's staff will contact you. Initial consultations are free of charge and do not create a legal relationship. Seeger Weiss LLP maintains offices in both New York and New Jersey and its attorneys are available to practice in courts throughout the country.