Tag: Teratogenicity

According to dermatologists and other healthcare providers, women should stop taking spironolactone at least one month before actively trying to conceive. The primary reason for this waiting period is the medication's potent anti-androgen effects, which can pose significant risks to a developing male fetus.

An estimated 8 million U.S. healthcare workers are potentially exposed to hazardous drugs annually [1.5.1, 1.5.2, 1.5.5]. This significant risk raises a critical question for workplace safety: **what makes a drug considered hazardous** and necessitates stringent handling protocols?

Acitretin, a powerful oral retinoid for severe psoriasis, carries a severe **black box warning** from the FDA concerning its high risk of causing catastrophic birth defects. This medication is considered a high-risk therapy due to its potent teratogenicity, significant systemic toxicities, and long-lasting effects within the body.

According to the FDA, valproic acid is associated with multiple boxed warnings for life-threatening risks, including hepatotoxicity, teratogenicity, and pancreatitis. This makes it a hazardous drug requiring careful patient selection and monitoring.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) includes topiramate on its list of hazardous drugs due to several serious health risks associated with exposure. Understanding why topiramate is considered a hazardous drug is crucial for patient safety, proper handling, and mitigating potential harm to both patients and healthcare workers.

According to studies, teratogenic exposure accounts for about 4% to 5% of congenital disorders. Teratogenicity refers to the ability of certain substances, known as teratogens, to cause birth defects or developmental abnormalities in a fetus. Understanding this concept, along with a classic example like thalidomide, is crucial for reproductive and prenatal health.