Accutane and Pregnancy

Q: Is accutane safe while trying to get pregnant and during pregnancy?

A: Accutane should not be used when you are trying to get pregnant or during pregnancy. Accutane (isotretinoin) is a man-made, prescription form of Vitamin A taken by mouth to treat acne. Up to 50% of women taking Accutane have miscarriages. And it has been reported that approximately 25-35% of infants born to women exposed to Accutane during the first trimester have birth defects, including head and face defects, heart defects, and central nervous system defects (brain abnormalities). Women taking Accutane should not get pregnant and should use effective birth control. If you think you may be pregnant while taking Accutane, you should stop taking it right away and you should let your doctor know right away. Prenatal testing by ultrasound may determine some of the birth defects that are present, though the ultrasound is not able to detect all potential fetal problems caused by exposure to Accutane.