Birth Defects Of Accutane

Hormonal acne is a major problem faced by women even in their late 20's or 30's. When ever hormonal changes occur in our body, people get acne mostly. Due to hormonal imbalance, our body produces more sebaceous glands then needed which results in clogged pores that is a main reason of acne. Hormonal acne can be mild, moderate or sever. Mild acne can be treated with over the counter products or prescription medications, but sever acne which is commonly cystic acne is only treated with accutane. Due to its sever side effects, it is given under high monitoring. Most sever side effect besides high depression is birth defects in fetus.

There is a strict guide lines for prescribing accutane. A doctor should discuss everything with patient like its side effects and precautions while using this medicine. It is strictly prohibited for mild or moderate acne. But it is observed that doctors are prescribing accutane where it is not needed. It is strongly recommended do not prescribe it if a patient is not resistent to other treatments. The complete course take 10 to 15 weeks to heal acne. Some people may observe minor break outs even after this course and some have to continue this course for another 3 or 4 months.

Dermatologists should give pregnancy test before a month of starting this treatment. If it appears negative then prescribe two different types of contraceptives. Plus regular pregnency test should be taken through out the treatment. As it is said that birth deformities occur in first three month specially in first few weeks when women do not know that they are pregnant.

Which type of birth deformities it causes?nnits links to severe fetal brain and heart defects, mental retardation, and other birth abnormalities. 25% of children born to women who were on accutane have birth defects including brain and nervous system damage, hydrocephalus; microcephaly, mental retardation; heart defects; ear and eye abnormalities; cleft lip and palate; and other facial abnormalities.

Many pregnancies end in a abortion because people do not want any deformities in their child. Women who get pregnant while using very low dose of accutane are at a great risk of having a baby with sever facial birth defects malformed thymus glands, and mental retardation.

AS accutane is a derivative of vitami
A, it is recommended that do not take food rich in vitami
A with accutane or during pregnancy as it will be harmful for new born baby. Fortunately, because it is a naturally occurring product, the body is able to quickly remove Accutane from the bloodstream. It is gone from the blood within nine days and has no lasting effect on future pregnancies. Thats why it is recommended not to get pregnant after a month completing this treatment. In fact there is strict guideline from the manufacturers in accutane to follow to reduce side effects of this treatment.