Oral retinoids can cause birth defects, and women should avoid isotretinoin when pregnant or trying to conceive.

April 2023. In the UK, 'The Isotretinoin Expert Working Group of the Commission on Human Medicines' has made recommendations to strengthen the safety of isotretinoin treatment. Recommendations include new warnings, the need for consistent monitoring requirements for psychiatric side effects, the introduction of new monitoring requirements for sexual side effects, and additional oversight of the initiation of treatment for patients younger than 18 years.