Definition of Teratogenic drugs

Stages of Pregnancy Slideshow

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.

Drugs that are capable of acting as teratogens include:

• 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).
• 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).
• 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.
• Cocaine.
• DES (diethylstilbestrol), a hormone.
• Thalidomide (Thalomid) which was approved by the FDA for the treatment of a complication of leprosy (erythema nodosum leprosum).