Dermatologic drug use during pregnancy and lactation

Physicians are often asked to prescribe medication for women during the childbearing years. This article reviews which dermatologic drugs have been reported to interfere with contraceptive efficacy, which should be avoided, and which have the fewest contraindications for use during pregnancy and lactation. Corticosteroids and tretinoin are discussed in detail. Sources and guidelines for choices of dermatologic drugs for women of childbearing age are presented.