Is Tretinoin safe during pregnancy?
Prescription retinoid. Generally avoided in pregnancy; low risk while breastfeeding if kept off the breast.
What the sources say
ACOG and AAD recommend stopping topical tretinoin during pregnancy. MotherToBaby notes that studies have not found more birth defects with proper skin use and little is absorbed, but avoiding it in pregnancy is still the usual advice; absorption rises on broken skin or large areas. LactMed: not studied in breastfeeding, but poorly absorbed and considered low risk. Do not apply to the nipple/areola and avoid baby skin contact with treated areas.
Common alternatives
Also listed as
all-trans retinoic acid, altreno, atra, atralin, avita, refissa, renova, retin a, retin-a, retinoic acid, veltin, vitamin a acid
Sources
- ACOG: Skin Conditions During Pregnancy
- AAD: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?
- MotherToBaby: Topical Tretinoin
- NIH LactMed: Tretinoin - Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed)
- NIH PubMed (peer-reviewed review): Are topical retinoids teratogenic? (G Ital Dermatol Venereol, 2016)
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.