Acne during pregnancy

During pregnancy, high hormone levels can lead to various skin changes, making acne and pregnancy a common complaint. Acne can be treated by a dermatologist in non-pregnant women with prescription medications. However, the use of these medications is not recommended for pregnant women or women trying to conceive and should be carefully discussed with a doctor and dermatologist.

What are these drugs?

Accutane: Accutane is a prescription medication taken by mouth to treat acne. Accutane's generic name is isotretinoin.
Retin-A: Retin-A is a prescription cream that is applied to the skin to treat acne. The generic name for Retin-A is tretinoin.
Tetracycline: Tetracycline is an antibiotic taken by mouth to treat acne and respiratory infections.

What are the precautions?

Accutane: (Class X): Approximately 25-35% of children born to women exposed to Accutane during the first trimester of pregnancy have birth defects. This model includes craniofacial malformations, cardiac malformations, and malformations of the central nervous system.

There is also an increased risk of miscarriage and infant mortality associated with the use of Accutane during pregnancy.

Retin-A: (Class C): Less than 10% of Retina-A enters the mother's bloodstream and even less reaches the baby. Even with these results, Retin-A still contains warnings for use by women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. In this case, it is best to discuss treatment with a dermatologist and another doctor.

Tetracycline: (Grade D): Tetracycline appears to cause some inhibition of bone growth and tooth discoloration in the fetus. Therefore, taking tetracycline should also be discussed with a dermatologist and another physician.

When is it safe to use these drugs?

Accutane: It is safe to use Accutane unless you are pregnant and have discussed certain recommendations with your doctor.

If you are of childbearing age, you must use two forms of birth control starting one month before you start taking Accutane and ending one month after you stop taking Accutane. If you are breastfeeding, you should not take Accutane.
You should be counseled about the possible ways in which the birth control method you have chosen may not work.
You must have a negative pregnancy test one week prior to taking Accutane.
You should start taking Accutane on the 2nd or 3rd day after your next normal menstrual cycle.

Retin-A: Since little research has been done on Retin-A, it is best to avoid it during pregnancy and follow the same recommendations as Accutane in consultation with your doctor.

Tetracycline: Tetracycline should not be used during pregnancy unless recommended by a doctor. Tetracycline is safe to use while breastfeeding.

Over-the-counter creams and astringents for acne?

When choosing over-the-counter medicated acne cleansers and treatments, it's a good idea to check with your doctor first. There are products containing benzoyl peroxide that are recommended for pregnant women as safe. However, there are over-the-counter medications that should be avoided, such as products containing salicylic acid.

Always check with your doctor before taking any medication during pregnancy, whether prescription or over the counter.