Drugs during pregnancy, dangerous: 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).