Despite warnings, the number of pregnancies on isotretinoin remains high and psychiatric disorders continue to be reported.
- Drugs containing isotretinoin continue to be taken by pregnant women, causing birth defects in children.
- Psychiatric disorders also continue to be reported from these acne medications.
Despite the measures put in place to improve the proper use of drugs containing isotretinoin, the number of pregnancies of women treated with it for acne remains high, exposing unborn children to the risk of serious malformations. Psychiatric disorders also continue to be reported from these acne medications.
“These drugs can only be prescribed as a last resort”
Too, “At the beginning of 2021, the ANSM will bring together representatives of healthcare professionals and patients to discuss actions to be implemented in order to continue and strengthen the reduction of the risks associated with taking these drugs”, explains the health agency.
In the meantime, “we ask the healthcare professionals concerned (dermatologists, general practitioners and community pharmacists) as well as patients, and in particular girls and women of childbearing age, to respect the rules for the use of these medicines which can only be prescribed as a last resort.continue the experts.
Abnormalities of the brain, face, or heart in fetuses
Medications based on isotretinoin should only be prescribed as a last resort for the treatment of severe acne, only in the event of failure of conventional treatments (antibiotic therapy and local treatments). A course of treatment usually lasts 4 to 6 months, and most patients only need one course.
The use of these drugs during pregnancy is an absolute contraindication due to the very high risk of serious malformations (more than 30%) in the fetus, such as abnormalities of the brain, face or heart. “Despite the measures put in place, the number of pregnancies exposed to isotretinoin has not decreased since 2010 (about 175 pregnancies each year)”, deplores the ANSM. The institution adds: “in addition, cases of anxiety or mood changes, depression, or worsening of depression including suicide attempts, have been reported in treated patients”.
In France, 6 million people are affected by acne. Among the patients concerned, 1/4 are adults.
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