The prescription rate of acne medications containing isotretinoin increased by almost two thirds between 2004 and 2019: This worrying increase was announced by the Bremen Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology. The problem is that the active ingredient isotretinoin can cause fetal malformations in pregnant women.
Prescription rate among 16 to 20 year olds doubled
The Bremen experts intensively evaluated figures from a research database that includes billing data from four statutory health insurance companies and published a scientific paper. Accordingly, the increase in prescriptions was particularly noticeable among 16 to 20 year olds: the number of prescriptions for the acne medication doubled in the study period. While statistically 2.07 out of 1,000 women received isotretinoin in 2004, 15 years later the number had increased to 4.2 out of 1,000 women.
Physical and mental dispositions possible
Possible malformations caused by taking the active ingredient are known as retinoid syndrome. These include, among other things, incorrect ear placement, other disorders in the formation of the face and palate, but also cardiovascular defects or neurological damage. As an invisible birth defect, intelligence can also be impaired.
Despite information, pregnancies occurred
The active ingredient is intended for the treatment of severe acne, but it has been proven to be effective. For mild to moderate acne, there are other medications available, including over-the-counter ones. A special safety program is in place for women who may become pregnant when taking isotretinoin. This includes pregnancy tests before and during treatment and careful information about the necessary safe contraception and possible dangers.
Nevertheless, there were pregnancies during the observation period, according to the Bremen Institute. Many of these were aborted and some babies were born with malformations.
Wait another month after stopping
Important to know: Women who can become pregnant and are taking isotretinoin must not only use contraception before and during treatment, but also for one month after stopping the preparation. There is a special pregnancy prevention program for all products containing isotretinoin. Such programs also exist for drugs such as the epilepsy drug valproic acid or the cancer drug thalidomide, which are also known to affect the development of fetuses.
Tipp: Anyone taking isotretinoin is not allowed to donate blood – this applies regardless of gender. If a pregnant woman is treated with blood preparations from isotretinoin patients, the future life could also be damaged in this way.