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Acne Drug Restrictions

© Gretchen Malik

Women and their doctors may soon face far tougher restrictions on who can take certain kinds of acne drugs. Currently, there is an acne drug on the market that can cause serious birth defects. This drug is highly effective at fighting disfiguring acne, but can cause brain, facial and other birth defects. So women, if they are taking any acne medications and believe they are pregnant, should undergo two pregnancy tests and let their doctors know what medications are being taken.

The FDA is under fire to make and mandate a formal registry of all doctors and patients prescribing or using harmful acne drugs. Doctors who agree to certain pregnancy-prevention steps would be certified to prescribe acne medications. Women would undergo repeated pregnancy testing, and receive a month's supply of the prescribed medication only after pharmacists check the computerized registry to verify they're cleared.

The FDA isn't bound by the recommendations, but something must be done to protect women and the lives of unborn children.