Accutane (a.k.a. Isotretinoin) is a form of Vitamin A that is frequently prescribed to patients for the treatment of serious nodular acne. Typically this medication is only prescribed when other treatments that have been tried have failed. This is because the use of this medication can lead to some serious Accutane birth defects in women who are of child-bearing age. Therefore these women are required to sign an agreement in which they promise to use two types of birth control and undergo frequent pregnancy testing while on the medication.
Types of Birth Defects Caused by Accutane
Unfortunately, Accutane has been linked to severe birth defects. There have also been instances in which miscarriages have occurred in women who were taking this medication. This isn’t an infrequent occurrence either. The FDA says that 25 – 35% of women who become pregnant while taking this medication will have an infant who’s born with birth defects.
The birth defects that are most common include cleft palate, congenital heart defects, ear problems, eye problems, Microcephaly (a condition wherein a baby is born with a really small head), Issues with the thymus gland (responsible for making the white blood cells that help fight infections), and Issues with the parathyroid gland. It’s also possible for the medication to cause damage to a baby’s arteries, veins, and heart walls and chambers. However, the most serious birth defects are the presence of congenital heart defects that develop during gestation. They can slow or completely block the flow of blood. Sometimes they’ll even cause the baby’s blood to flow in the wrong direction.
Treating Birth Defects Caused by Accutane
Children who are born with any of these birth defects may need to have surgery or be catheterized to correct heart defects. A catheter procedure may eliminate the need to open your baby’s chest to repair the defect. However, there are also times when your baby may need to have open-heart surgery to repair a heart valve, close a hole in their heart, repair damage to their blood vessels, or widen their valve openings. Unfortunately, there are also times when the only solution is a heart transplant.
The best way in which to avoid Accutane birth defects is to talk to your doctor as soon as you become pregnant. Most doctors will tell you that it isn’t safe to continue taking this medication throughout your pregnancy and prescribe you a different type of medication.