Accutane and Birth Defects
Accutane, a prescription drug used to treat severe acne, has in recent years been shown to cause a number of troubling consequences for the health of individuals who use this medication. One of the worst of these potential health consequences is the possibility of birth defects developing in the children of pregnant women who have used Accutane. In fact, studies suggest that women who take Accutane during pregnancy may be as much as ten times more likely to give birth to a child who suffers from a birth defect, with as many as 30% of pregnant Accutane users experiencing this tragic circumstance.
For these reasons, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put in place a number of different regulations in order to prevent birth defects caused by Accutane use from occurring. Among other things, these regulations require individuals who wish to take Accutane to undergo a two week waiting period in order to ensure that they aren’t pregnant before being prescribed the medication, as well as to employ at least two forms of birth control throughout the course of their treatment if they have the potential to have children.
Common Accutane Birth Defects
The birth defects that may occur as a result of Accutane use among pregnant women can vary significantly, both in terms of severity and the nature of the defect itself. Some of the most commonly reported birth defects caused by Accutane use include:
- Mental retardation
- Cardiovascular developmental problems
- Visual impairments
- Facial deformities
- Central nervous system defects
- Problems with hearing
- Missing or malformed earlobes
In some cases, the consequences of these birth defects can be life-altering for the child, and may even prove to be life-threatening. Even in the case of more minor defects, the child may suffer significant emotional or physical pain as a result of their condition.
Accutane and Pregnancy
Accutane use may not only cause birth defects in the children of pregnant women who take this medication, but it can also affect the status of the pregnancy itself. Pregnant women who take Accutane may suffer:
- Miscarriages
- Premature births
- Stillbirths
These types of experiences can be extremely traumatic for a pregnant woman. Therefore, it is critical that Accutane use among pregnant women be prevented in all circumstances. Even women who only take Accutane for a short period of time during their pregnancy are at risk of these or other potential complications arising at some point.
Coping with the Effects of Accutane and Pregnancy
Women who experience adverse side effects caused by Accutane use during pregnancy may experience serious emotional and psychological damage as a result of this tragic circumstance. In these cases, it may be necessary to consult with a qualified mental health care provider in order to begin the process of coping with the situation. While nothing may be able to ever fully heal the mental wounds that may be caused by this type of tragedy, it is important to remember that assistance is available. Aside from the help of a mental health counselor, the support of friends and family can also be a significant form of assistance during this difficult time.
