Pregnant women are often inundated with a list of things to avoid and things to know while carrying a baby. It is very important for pregnant women to understand which medications should not be taken during pregnancy in order to avoid harm to themselves or the baby.

Accutane is a medication that was commonly prescribed to treat severe acne, typically when other treatments proved ineffective.  The medication is linked to the onset of severe adverse reactions, including ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease, prompting many patients to file Accutane lawsuits against the manufacturer of the medication.

Throughout a period of more than 25 years, Accutane was prescribed to approximately 16 million patients. During this time, Accutane was associated with serious side effects in pregnant women, such as the development of severe birth defects and miscarriage.

Pregnant women should never take Accutane, as the medication may cause life-threatening birth defects that may affect a developing baby's brain, heart, ears, face, eyes, skull or head. These serious defects may develop following just one dose of Accutane. Documented birth defects following Accutane use include cleft palate, cardiovascular abnormalities and the abnormal formation of certain regions of the brain, among others.

The strong link between Accutane and the development of birth defects prompted the creation of the mandatory iPledge program. Through iPledge, women agree to use two forms of birth control and take regular pregnancy tests, or completely abstain from intercourse while taking Accutane. 

Information about additional medications, including those taken during pregnancy, may be found on DrugWatch.com.