ABSTRACT
Pregnancy can influence the course of acne. In a study of over 400 pregnant
women, after delivery, 75% of women reported improvement in acne, 13%
reported no change, and 12% reported worsening of their acne (1). Dermatolo-
gists will often be consulted for gestational acne, since many physicians are
hesitant to prescribe these medications during pregnancy. In some cases,
the patient will have been advised to stop their prior acne treatment. But for
female patients with severe disease that can lead to scarring, treatment can
continue during pregnancy (2). Since 1979, the U.S. Food and Drug Adminis-
tration (FDA) has categorized drugs that may be used by pregnant women from
category A-“controlled studies show no risk” to category X-“contraindicated
in pregnancy” (Table 7.4.1). Since controlled studies in pregnant women are
usually not available, many drugs are interpreted as category C-“risk cannot be
ruled out” (3). The following is a review of the agents used to treat acne in
pregnancy.
