"How can Accutane be so toxic to a tiny human?" says UK-based GP Sermed Mezher, who also educates people on health through his social media video. There are hundreds of pregnancies every single year which are either lost or end up abnormally because of women getting pregnant on acutance despite being told expressly to take reliable contraception. So, what is Accutane?Dr Mezher mentions, Accutane (isotretinoin) is a powerful medication used to treat severe acne, but it can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy. It is classified as a teratogen, meaning it directly interferes with fetal development, leading to severe malformations of the brain, heart, face, and central nervous system. Even small doses can be harmful, and the risk of miscarriage is also significantly higher.What Can Accutane Do?The acne drug is considered a danger to female who become pregnant while using it. These are from the class of drugs known as retinoids, isotretinoin and is prescribed for patients suffering from severe recalcitrant nodular acne. This is who those who have not responded to other treatments. Studies have shown that pregnant women who take Accutane often face higher rates of spontaneous abortion and develop fetus that could be born with severe birth defects like craniofacial and heart defects. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sermed Mezher (@drsermedmezher)]]> As per the National Health Service (NHS), UK, isotretinoin should not be used in pregnancy as it cause birth defects. If you become pregnant during treatment with these, you can stop taking the capsules and must speak to your doctors as soon as possible. What Can You Do To Avoid Problems?It is also important to be on contraception while you are on Accutane. The contraception method must be reliable such as intrauterine device or a contraceptive implant or injection. You can choose your contraception for one month before starting your isotretinoin capsules and during treatment and for 1 month after the treated has stopped.ALSO READ: How To Prevent Contagious Illness In Kids?You must also continue to use contraception even if you do not have periods and you are not sexually active, unless your doctor advises otherwise. What Does The Expert Say?Dr Mezher says that it is because of these dangers, women who take Accutane are required to follow strict pregnancy prevention measures, including two forms of contraception and undergoing regular pregnancy tests. The medication is only prescribed under the iPLEDGE program, which ensures that patients understand the risks and commit to avoiding pregnancy while on the drug.If a woman becomes pregnant while taking Accutane, immediate medical consultation is crucial, as the potential for severe and irreversible harm to the baby is extremely high.How Does Accutane Reflect On The Infant?It causes craniofacial malformation, including craniosynostosis. This is the result of an infant's skull or facial bones fusing together too soon in an abnormal way. John Hopkins Medicine notes that when the bone fuse together too early, the brain can become damaged as it grows and cannot expand properly. The infant too therefore can develop neurological problems.