Accutane embryopathy Health Article

Prognosis

Accutane is a safe and highly effective drug when used properly. However, Accutane embryopathy is a serious medical condition that is directly related to a mother's use of Accutane during the first trimester of her pregnancy. Although most individuals with AE will have a normal lifespan, others may die at a young age due to complex internal abnormalities. Mild or moderate mental handicap is common even when there are no obvious physical features of AE.

BOOKS

"Retinoic acid embryopathy." In Smith's Recognizable Patterns of Human Malformations, edited by Kenneth Lyons Jones, W.B. Saunders Company, 1997.

PERIODICALS

"Accutane-exposed pregnancies—California 1999." Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 49, no. 2 (January 21, 2000): 28-31 <http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4902a2.htm>.

Mechcatie, Elizabeth. "FDA panel backs new pregnancy plan for Accutane." Family Practice News 30, no. 2 (November 1, 2000): 20.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Academy of Dermatology. PO Box 4014, 930 N. Meacham Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60168-4014. (847) 330-0230. Fax: (847) 330-0050. <http://www.aad.org>.

Organization of Teratology Services (OTIS). (888) 285-3410. <http://www.otispregnancy.org>.

WEBSITES

"Accutane and other retinoids." March of Dimes. <http://www.modimes.org/HealthLibrary2/factsheets.Accutane.htm>.

"Accutane." Food and Drug Administration. <http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/accutane/default.htm>.

"Accutane: Complete Product Information." Roche U.S. Pharmaceuticals. <http://www.rocheusa.com/products/accutane/pi.html>.

Stagg Elliott, Victoria. "More restrictions expected on acne drug." AMNews. (October 16, 2000) <http://www.amaassn.org/sci-pubs/amnews/pick-00/hlsd1016.htm>.

Terri A. Knutel, MS, CGC