Medications that can lead to IBD complications (byDrugWatch )

Medications that Can Lead to IBD Complications

Today, more than 1 million Americans are affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which is a chronic condition that involves inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, and about 30,000 people are diagnosed each year.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most common inflammatory bowel diseases. These diseases can cause debilitating pain and can lead to life-threatening complications when left untreated. There is no known cure for IBD.

There are a few medications that can either cause IBD or exacerbate symptoms, and patients need to be aware of the risks.

Accutane and IBD

Accutane (isotretinoin), created by Roche, is a medication used to treat severe acne by reducing the amount of oil released by oil glands on the skin. It is typically prescribed by a physician after other methods of acne treatment, such as antibiotics, have been exhausted.

In 1982, Accutane was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and it proved to provide long-term and even complete reduction of acne for 80 percent of patients. But in 2009, the drug was recalled after reports of serious side effects, including IBD-related complications.

Adults and teenagers who have used Accutane are at risk of developing Crohn’s disease. People with severe cases of Crohn’s may experience pain and bleeding during bowel movements.

Common Crohn’s symptoms include:

·         Low-grade fever

·         Loss of appetite

·         Weight loss

·         Fatigue

·         Prolonged diarrhea

·         Lower abdominal pain

·         Inflammation of joints

People who have used Accutane are also at a higher risk for developing ulcerative colitis, which is a chronic disease affecting the large intestine.

Common ulcerative colitis symptoms include:

·         Blood clots

·         Abdominal pain

·         Blood and pus in stools

·         Diarrhea

·         Fever

·         Rectal pain

·         Weight loss

Although Accutane was recalled in 2009, generic brands such as Amnesteem, Claravis and Sotret are still available.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and IBD

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen) are found in most household medicine cabinets today, and are routinely used to reduce inflammation and relieve fever and pain such as head and body aches.

People with IBD may feel pain, aching and cramping on a daily basis, and it can be tempting to turn to NSAIDs for relief. But while these drugs reduce inflammation and relieve pain, gastroenterologists recommend that patients with IBD avoid taking NSAIDs. Although NSAIDs do not cause IBD, these over-the-counter drugs can make IBD symptoms severely worse.

NSAID use can contribute to the flare-up of bowel disease symptoms, including the development of ulcers in the stomach and the small intestine, and small bowel or colonic bleeding. Prolonged or excessive use of NSAIDs may even cause IBD relapse.

Patients with a history of IBD should avoid NSAIDs, and anyone considering Accutane treatment should discuss the side effects with their doctor.

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