teratogenic drug

teratogenic drug A drug that is capable of acting as a teratogen and interrupting a pregnancy or impairing the child. Drugs that are known teratogens include, but are not limited to, ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (brand name: Lotensin), captopril (brand name: Capoten), enalapril (brand name: Vasotec), fosinopril sodium (brand name: Monopril), lisinopril (brand names: Zestril, Prinivil), lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide (brand names: Zestoretic, Prinzide), quinapril (brand name: Accupril), and ramipril (brand name: Altace); the acne medication isotretinoin (brand names: Accutane, Retin-A); alcohol, whether ingested chronically or in binges; androgens (male hormones); the antibiotics tetracycline (brand name: Achromycin), doxycycline (brand name: Vibramycin), and streptomycin; blood-thinners, such as warfarin (brand name: Coumadin); seizure medications, including phenytoin (brand name: Dilantin), valproic acid (brand names: Depakene, Depakote, Valprotate), trimethadione (brand name: Tridione), paramethadione (brand name: Paradione), and carbamazepine (brand name: Tegretol); the antidepressant/antimanic drug lithium (brand names: Eskalith, Lithotab); antimetabolite/anticancer drugs methotrexate (brand name: Rheumatrex) and aminopterin; the antirheumatic agent and chelator penicillamine (brand names: Ciprimene, Depen); antithyroid drugs, such as thiouracil/propylthiouracil and carbimazole/methimazole; cocaine; the hormone DES (diethylstilbestrol); and thalidomide (brand name: Thalomid). Alcohol and illegal or unnecessary drugs should never be used by women who are pregnant or who plan to get pregnant. However, sometimes a medication that is necessary for health is also a teratogen: thyroid medication, blood thinners, and lithium are a few examples. Female patients who must take such medications should work carefully with their physicians to determine whether an alternative treatment is possible before and during pregnancy. In some cases the danger of birth defects is limited to a certain part of the pregnancy, and medication can be started again after that period has passed. Other medications can be safely restarted upon the baby’s birth.