Pregnancy Over 40, Drugs and Birth Defects
There is a category of drugs called "Retinoids" which should be avoided if you're TTC or already pregnant.Usually, physicians won't prescribe them to women of child bearing age unless they have proof of birth control or some type of sterilization procedure.
SEE ALSO: DETOXIFY TO GET PREGNANT (getpregnantover40.com)
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There is an extremely high risk of birth defects if a woman takes isotretinoin during pregnancy, even if she takes a small amount of the drug for a short period. Birth defects caused by isotretinoin include (1):
Hydrocephaly (enlargement of the fluid-filled spaces in the brain)
Microcephaly (small head and brain)
Mental retardation
Ear and eye abnormalities
Cleft palate and other facial abnormalities
Heart defects
Isotretinoin can cause birth defects in the early weeks after conception when a woman often does not know she is pregnant. Even babies without obvious birth defects may have mental retardation or learning disabilities (1, 2). The drug also increases the risk of premature delivery and infant death (1, 2).
excerpted from: (www.marchofdimes.com)