Accutane®-Exposed Pregnancies

In March 1999, a CDC scientist interviewed 14 women who had had recent Accutane®-exposed pregnancies to draw attention to the continued occurrence of these pregnancies and learn more about why these pregnancies happen.

*Accutane® (isotretinoin) is a prescription drug used to treat severe nodular acne that has not responded to other treatments. It can cause severe birth defects if taken during pregnancy.

*Accutane®-exposed pregnancies continue to occur and result in babies with major birth defects.

*Reasons for the exposed pregnancies in this case series included: using Accutane® unnecessarily, not using any contraception or not using two effective methods of contraception as recommended during Accutane® treatment, not waiting until three days after menstruation to begin Accutane®, not performing pregnancy tests before prescribing Accutane®, prescribing outside the usual doctor-patient relationship, and using leftover medication.

*Eight of 14 women in this series were not using any form of contraception when the exposed pregnancy occurred; 13/14 were not using two reliable forms of contraception as recommended.

*Physicians should limit use of Accutane® in women of childbearing potential to those who meet the criteria on the package insert.

*Physicians should be knowledgeable about the teratogenic potential of Accutane® and actively assist their patients in preventing exposure during pregnancy.

Results published in: MMWR 2000;49(2):28-31.

© 2003