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The US Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) released a report indicating that some women
taking the acne drug Accutane become pregnant despite efforts
to warn them that the product is known to cause
severe birth defects.
The CDC also said that a symbol used
to remind women of the teratogenic effects of medicines is
commonly misinterpreted. A teratogen is a substance that causes
birth defects.
According to the agency, current recommendations
for Accutane suggest that women have two
negative pregnancy tests, including one on the
second day of their next normal menstrual period, before taking
the medication. Additionally, women taking Accutane should
use two forms of birth control, have repeat pregnancy
tests every month and register with a survey that monitors
the experience of women taking the drug.
The CDC said that over 2,000 pregnancies
in US women taking Accutane were reported to the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) between 1982 and March 2000.
In its report, the CDC also said that
many uncounseled women who saw the teratogen warning symbol
-- a pregnant woman depicted in a circle with a slash through
it -- were unable to tell
what it meant. Many women confused medication bearing
this symbol with birth control.
Centers For
Disease Control, Atlanta, GA August 17, 2001
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