posted 05-12-2003 09:33 PM            

If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, stop taking the drug immediately. If you continue to take Accutane beyond the 15th day following conception, your baby has a 35 percent chance of developing birth defects. It can be tough to know exactly when you get pregnant, but keep in mind that for many women conception occurs roughly two weeks after the first day of their last menstrual period. Experts have been concerned that Accutane could remain in a woman's body for even longer, potentially causing damage to the fetus weeks after she stopped taking the drug. However, more recent studies show little to no increased risk for birth defects if the mother stops taking the drug within two weeks of conception.

Some researchers are concerned that taking high doses of vitamin A can cause birth defects similar to those found in babies exposed to Accutane (Accutane belongs to a class of chemicals related to vitamin A known as retinoids.) Therefore, doctors often recommend limiting vitamin A supplements to 10,000 I.U. per day or less. You can, however, eat as many red, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables as you'd like without worrying about overdosing on vitamin A. Foods such as carrots and red peppers actually contain beta carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A as needed.

If you'd like to take Accutane, speak to your doctor. You will need to take a pregnancy test to make sure you aren't currently carrying a child. If you don't already take the Pill, chances are the doctor will prescribe it to prevent you from becoming pregnant while on the drug. In addition, doctors strongly recommend that you use a back-up contraceptive such as condoms or a diaphragm while taking Accutane.