Crohn's Disease

Accutane is a prescription medication used for treating severe acne. Being a teenager is hard enough without having to deal with the embarrassing issues that come with acne. Many people can suffer from acne. It affects teenagers and sometimes adults as well. Some cases are very severe and can even result in scarring. The scarring is usually a permanent disfigurement that can follow a teenager into adulthood. In most cases peoples’ acne is not very bad. People with mild acne cases usually seek treatment from over the counter topical crèmes or gels. Some people resort to using a low grade prescription antibiotic to keep their acne under control. For most, this is a simple resolution. However, for people with more severe outbreaks, there

“But knowledge of ghastly Accutane side effects was to come, when it was revealed that Accutane could inflict gastrointestinal and digestive disorders, such as the lifelong inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) called Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease” (Westbrook). These side effects are not that common, but are still a possibility. Crohn’s Disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease that can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal track. Depending on where in the gastrointestinal track the disease is located, symptoms can include anything from fever, cramping, and diarrhea, to severe abdominal pain and lack of being able to process food correctly. There is no known cure for Crohn’s Disease. In severe cases surgery is required to remove the damaged portion of the gastrointestinal track, but still does not provide a cure. Once somebody is diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, they have it for life. The treatment for Crohn’s Disease can include diet modification, but can also involve a huge amount of medication required to treat the disease’s

If people want to permanently rid themselves of acne, this is the necessary drug. “As always everyone who takes Accutane needs regular blood tests to check on liver function and cholesterol levels” (Fields). This appears as a little extreme to a lot of people, but in order to make sure a patient is not being harmed or permanently damaged from the drug, these precautions must be taken. “Dermatologists fear this system will discourage patients from getting treatments; the FDA launched iPledge over their protests” (Fields). In an effort to safeguard patients, the iPledge program was established. iPledge is a program set up to show all of the potential side effects. iPledge was established as of March in 2006. iPledge was created due to so many birth defects from women taking the drug and getting pregnant while on it. It is now required by both male and female patients to obtain Accutane. Patients must go to a dermatologist, get the iPledge program, fill it out, and then return it to the same