Teratogenic drugs
A teratogen is an agent that can disturb the development of the embryo or fetus.
Teratogens halt the pregnancy or produce a congenital malformation (a birth defect).
Classes of teratogens include radiation, maternal infections, chemicals, and drugs.</P> Drugs that are capable of acting as teratogens include:</P> > >ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors such as: > >benazepril (Lotensin), >captopril (Capoten), >enalapril (Vasotec), >fosinopril sodium (Monopril), >lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil), >lisinopril + hydrochlorothiazide (Zestoretic, Prinzide), >quinapril (Accupril) and >ramipril (Altace).</LI></UL> >Acne medication isotretinoin (Accutane, Retin-A).
>Alcohol ingested chronically or in binges.
>Androgens (male hormones).
>Antibiotics tetracycline (Achromycin), and doxycycline (Vibramycin), and streptomycin.
>Anticoagulant (blood-thinner) warfarin (Coumadin).
>Anticonvulsants (seizure medications) such as: > >phenytoin (Dilatin), >valproic acid (Depakene, Valprotate), >trimethadione (Tridione), >paramethadione (Paradione), and >carbamazepine (Tegretol).</LI></UL> >Anti-depressant drug lithium (Eskalith, Lithob).
>Antimetabolite/anticancer drugs methotrexate (Rheumatrex) and aminopterin.
>Antirheumatic agent and metal-binder (chelator) penicillamine (Ciprimene, Depen).
>Antithyroid drugs such as: > >thiouracil/propylthiouracil and >carbimazole/methimazole.</LI></UL> >Cocaine.
>DES (diethylstilbestrol), a hormone.
>Thalidomide (Thalomid) which was approved by the FDA for the treatment of a complication of leprosy (erythema nodosum leprosum).</LI></UL>