Just stopped Roaccutane and I 'm pregnant

[ece]

Dear Dr;

I am a 26-year old woman.I weigh 52 kgs.
I have been prescribed to use Roaccutane between Feb2003-August2003. Feb and march I took 10mg tablets twice a day and April; may; June; July I took 20mg tablets twice a day.

The month I was supposed to finish Roaccutane-August I took the tablets very rarely and irregularly because of my wedding at that month. So I couldn't finish the prescribed amount for August and some of it I had to take in September too. Again I took very few tablets and very irregulary in September. So I didn't take any tablets in October.

Now I find put that I am 4 -weeks pregnant. The conception took place somewhere between 19th October and 26th October. Do you think the previuos Roaccutane exposure can still damage the embryo? I don't want to have a termination but I also want to be sure that the baby is not harmed. What are the chances of baby being harmed or safe?

Thanks beforehand for your answer.

Ece.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The manufacturer's recommendation is that pregnancy be avoided for 1 month after stopping. Your question is whether 19 days, or perhaps a few more, puts you at risk. I advise you to ask your physician to contact the Hoffman Laroche medical department at once (in the US, the telephone is 1-800-93ROCHE). The company has extensive data and is quite responsive at looking into whatever specific information there is that bears on this topic. Since you need to make a decision one way or another right away, the call should be made at once. I will make the call myself tomorrow and post what I can find, but I urge you to have a call made in your behalf as well.

Dr. Rockoff

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Researching the question further, I received from Roche copies of studies showing that Accutane leaves the bloodstream in about 13 days.  Other studies show occasional patients in whom metabolic products of the drug are detectable longer.  Another study showed no increase in Accutane-related birth defects in a group of women who became pregnant after they stopped Accutane (for times ranging from a couple of days on up.)  The company's conclusion is that 30 days--the recommended waiting time after stopping the medication before becoming pregnant--is enough.  That is about all the information that's available.  The final decision will have to be between you and your physician.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Researching the question further, I received from Roche copies of studies showing that Accutane leaves the bloodstream in about 13 days.  Other studies show occasional patients in whom metabolic products of the drug are detectable longer.  Another study showed no increase in Accutane-related birth defects in a group of women who became pregnant after they stopped Accutane (for times ranging from a couple of days on up.)  The company's conclusion is that 30 days--the recommended waiting time after stopping the medication before becoming pregnant--is enough.  That is about all the information that's available.  The final decision will have to be between you and your physician.

[katiesparks1988]

A related discussion, pregnant on accitane was started.