Accutane causes severe birth defects

Accutane is a medication that was prescribed for treatment of severe acne that had not responded to other treatments.  The active ingredient in Accutane is isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is also found in Amnesteem, Claravis, and Sotret. In 2009, Hoffman La Roche, the manufacturer of Accutane, discontinued its manufacture citing dwindling market share of the medication. Accutane was introduced in 1982.  Unfortunately, very serious side effects have been associated with the use of Accutane and these other drugs.  The FDA issued a warning regarding use of Accutane in Pregnant women, women who plan to become pregnant, or become pregnant during Accutane treatment.  The warning is clear, simple, and ominous, “Accutane causes severe birth defects”  http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM085812.pdf  Women who were prescribed Accutane should have had to satisfy requirements approved by the FDA, making sure they were aware of the chance of birth defects or miscarriage. If patients did become pregnant while taking Accutane, they should have been warned to discontinue use immediately and contact a medical professional experienced in reproductive toxicity. Women who were not warned of this may have valid grievances against their medical provider who prescribed them Accutane, or Hoffman La Roche, the drug manufacturer. The birth defects caused include severe fetal malformations.    The March of Dimes Foundation issued its own warning against the use of Accutane during pregnancy.  Specifically, Its medical director, Donald Mattison, M.D., has been quoted as saying:

  "Even a single pregnancy exposed to Accutane is one too many, given all we know about the severe harm this drug can do to fetuses." "We urge everyone, especially physicians, patients with acne, and pharmacists, to become better educated on the proper use of this drug and to follow the guidelines more carefully."