The low number of women using contraception while taking medication like Roaccutane is a cause for concern. Roaccutane has been known to cause birth defects, which emphasizes the need for educating patients and doctors about the risks involved as well as the importance of effective contraception while on such medications. Despite never treating a patient who became pregnant while on oral retinoids, it is a possibility that has been documented. GPs can play a role in counseling patients about contraception before referring them to dermatologists, who typically inform patients about the contraceptive/birth defect issue.
Rebecca Snow, a young woman from Greater Western Sydney, fell pregnant while taking Roaccutane and faced the difficult decision of whether to continue with the pregnancy after learning about the high risk of congenital abnormalities and neurological issues in her unborn baby. She eventually miscarried, adding to the list of potential side effects associated with the medication. Her experience shed light on the lack of detailed information provided by her dermatologist regarding the severity of falling pregnant while on oral retinoids, and the need for more thorough patient education on the matter.
Although the frequency of Australian women becoming pregnant while taking oral retinoids is unknown, at least 20 distressed women contact Dr. Debra Kennedy of MotherSafe each year seeking advice after falling pregnant while on such medication. One tragic case involved a teenage girl who discovered she was pregnant during the most detrimental period of fetal development while on oral retinoids, resulting in multiple abnormalities in the baby and a difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy. This led Kennedy to research the issue further and highlight the importance of proper patient counseling and awareness of the risks involved.
A spokeswoman for Roche, the manufacturer of Roaccutane, emphasized the well-known risks of using oral retinoids during pregnancy, stating that the medication should not be used by pregnant women or those who may become pregnant. The company recommends excluding pregnancy before starting Roaccutane treatment and suggests the use of effective contraception before, during, and after treatment. However, the lack of specific data on the prevalence of pregnancies while on oral retinoids in Australia underscores the need for increased awareness and education on this issue within the medical community.
The experiences of women like Rebecca Snow highlight the emotional and physical toll that can result from falling pregnant while taking oral retinoids like Roaccutane. More comprehensive patient education and counseling are needed to ensure that women are fully informed about the risks and importance of contraception while on such medications. Reaching out to healthcare providers, including GPs and dermatologists, to enhance their understanding of this issue and improve communication with patients can help prevent tragic cases like that experienced by the teenage girl mentioned by Dr. Kennedy. By raising awareness and providing adequate support, the medical community can work towards reducing the number of pregnancies with adverse outcomes while taking oral retinoids.
