Is isotretinoin safe during pregnancy?
Tap your actives or paste a label. See what to avoid, with sources.
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Not medical advice: bring it to your OB-GYN.
Not medical advice: bring it to your OB-GYN.
Three stamps. The cautious one wins.
Avoid while pregnant: an FDA label, the AAD, ACOG or a peer-reviewed review advises against it. Ask your doctor first: a source says to limit it or to check with a doctor, the sources we read disagree, or we found too little to go on. Generally considered OK: every source we read that covers it says it can be used. No stamp replaces your OB-GYN.
Three stamps. The cautious one wins.
Avoid while pregnant: an FDA label, the AAD, ACOG or a peer-reviewed review advises against it. Ask your doctor first: a source says to limit it or to check with a doctor, the sources we read disagree, or we found too little to go on. Generally considered OK: every source we read that covers it says it can be used. No stamp replaces your OB-GYN.
Everything in this tool, in full
Educational, not medical advice. Every line below points to the source it comes from — bring it to your doctor.
What the sources say
The AAD lists it among the acne medicines never to take during pregnancy, because it can cause serious birth defects: if you’re pregnant, stop it immediately. ACOG says it should not be used during pregnancy.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQ
The numbers
MotherToBaby is unusually direct about isotretinoin. About 3 in 100 babies are born with a birth defect in any pregnancy; with isotretinoin exposure, it says birth defects can occur in 35% or more of babies, even with short-term use. The defects it lists include small or missing ears, a small jaw, cleft palate, fluid around the brain, a small head and heart defects. Miscarriage risk can be as high as 40% when it’s used in early pregnancy, and hearing, vision, learning or behavior problems may only show up later.
SourceMotherToBaby: Isotretinoin (Accutane) fact sheet (January 2026)
Why there’s a program called iPLEDGE
Because of that risk, isotretinoin in the US is only available through a safety program. As MotherToBaby summarizes it, women who can get pregnant must:
- enroll for 30 days before the first prescription;
- have two negative pregnancy tests before starting, then a test every month;
- use two forms of birth control from one month before treatment until one month after;
- not share the medicine or donate blood during treatment and for a month after.
SourceMotherToBaby: Isotretinoin (Accutane) fact sheet (January 2026)
After you stop
MotherToBaby says isotretinoin is mostly cleared from the body within about 6 days on average, and recommends waiting one month after stopping before trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking it, stop right away and contact your prescriber and your prenatal care provider. There’s no information on isotretinoin in breastfeeding, and the label says to avoid it.
SourceMotherToBaby: Isotretinoin (Accutane) fact sheet (January 2026)
Check your whole routine
One ingredient is a start. The pregnancy-safe skincare checker stamps every active you use — tap them or paste a label — each with the reason and its source. Educational, not medical advice.
One face scan. Your whole routine, sorted.
This page answered your question. MySkincare starts from your own skin, and the products you already use.
- 1Scan your face3 photos: front, left profile, right profile.
- 2See your skin scoreFree6 zones scored separately: forehead, eye area, T-zone, both cheeks, chin.
- 3Scan your productsIt reads each ingredient list and says: keep it, watch it or replace it.
- 4Follow your routineMorning and night, checked so your products work together. With reminders.
MySkincare reads the products you already use and builds a routine for your skin. It doesn’t judge whether an ingredient is pregnancy-safe — for that, this page and your OB-GYN or dermatologist are the guide.
Questions people ask
Is isotretinoin safe to use while pregnant?
The AAD lists it among the acne medicines never to take during pregnancy, because it can cause serious birth defects: if you’re pregnant, stop it immediately. ACOG says it should not be used during pregnancy.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQ
How long after isotretinoin can I get pregnant?
MotherToBaby recommends waiting one month after stopping before trying to get pregnant.
SourceMotherToBaby: Isotretinoin (Accutane) fact sheet (January 2026)
My partner takes isotretinoin. Is that a risk to the pregnancy?
MotherToBaby says studies haven’t been done in men, and that exposures through the father are generally unlikely to raise pregnancy risks. Isotretinoin can affect men’s fertility in some cases.
SourceMotherToBaby: Isotretinoin (Accutane) fact sheet (January 2026)
Where can I check my whole routine?
Use the pregnancy-safe skincare checker: it stamps every active you use, with the reason and its source. It’s educational, not medical advice — bring the result to your OB-GYN or dermatologist.
SourceAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?
American Academy of Dermatologyaad.org
- Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?
Isotretinoin, tazarotene and spironolactone: never take during pregnancy; if you’re pregnant, stop them immediately. Doxycycline, minocycline or tetracycline: stop by your 15th week of pregnancy. Adapalene and tretinoin: most experts recommend stopping. Azelaic acid and clindamycin: thought to be safe. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid: safe in limited amounts or for a limited time, ask first.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologistsacog.org
- Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQ
Over-the-counter products with benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, salicylic acid or glycolic acid can be used; use of topical retinoids is generally avoided, and some OTC products contain them; isotretinoin should not be used; melasma and daily sunscreen.
MotherToBabymothertobaby.org
- Isotretinoin (Accutane) fact sheet (January 2026)
Birth defects in 35% or more of babies exposed in pregnancy (about 3% baseline); miscarriage risk as high as 40% with early use; wait one month after stopping before trying to conceive; iPLEDGE: two negative tests, two forms of birth control from a month before to a month after; no breastfeeding data, label says avoid.