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CDC, FDA Stress Importance Of Preventing Exposures During Pregnancy To Medications Known To Cause Birth Defects
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Friday that despite prevention efforts some women who take Accutane, a prescription medication given for severe acne and known to cause birth defects, still become pregnant while on this medication. The CDC also reported that a symbol intended to remind women that they must not get pregnant while taking these medications is commonly misinterpreted. more
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Accutane-Exposed Pregnancies -- California, 1999
Accutane (Roche Laboratories, Nutley, New Jersey), known by the generic name isotretinoin, is a prescription oral medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat severe, recalcitrant nodular acne. It is also a known human teratogen that can cause multiple major malformations. Embryopathy associated with the mother's exposure to isotretinoin during the first trimester of pregnancy includes craniofacial, cardiac, thymic, and central nervous system malformations. In response to FDA recommendations, the manufacturer began a pregnancy-prevention program (PPP) in 1988 that included educational materials for physicians and patients and offered women reimbursement for contraceptive counseling by a physician. The PPP coordinators asked reproductive-aged women being treated with isotretinoin to enroll voluntarily in the Boston University Accutane Survey (BUAS). The total number of reproductive-aged women taking isotretinoin in the United States is unknown; however, 454,273 women enrolled in the BUAS from 1989 to October 1999. more
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WHO To Study Venous Thrombosis And Air Travel
Following up on the results of its consultation of experts this spring, the World Health Organization (WHO) elaborated research proposals on venous thrombosis and air travel. These are now being submitted to potential funding sources. more
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Effectiveness Of Condoms In Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections Including HIV
Prevention is the first line of defence against HIV/AIDS and condoms have long been a mainstay of HIV prevention programs. Recently, however, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of condoms as a means to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. An extensive review of all available studies was conducted by a panel convened by US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in June 2000 in the United States, with the participation of WHO. The review concluded that condoms, when used correctly and consistently, are effective for preventing HIV infection in women and men and gonorrhoea in men. For other STIs, however, the available data are less complete. more
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Workshop Summary: Scientific Evidence on Condom Effectiveness For Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)Prevention
Recently, a number of Federal agencies sponsored a workshop to answer the following question: "What is the scientific evidence on the effectiveness of latex male condom-use to prevent STD transmission during vaginal intercourse?" This workshop was attended by 180 persons, and the data from numerous peer-reviewed published studies were discussed. Following the workshop,a panel of 28 experts worked to develop this report. more
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