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Prenatal exposure to drugs or other teratogens is a great concern to would be parents and generally to society as a whole. A complete understanding of the effects of these drugs and teratogens is necessary in the prevention of possible adverse side effects in children. Recreational drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, heroine, and marijuana are proven teratogens that cause a high risk of servere mental and physical retardation in children. These drugs are fairly well researched; the amount a mother can consume, the extent to which these drugs will harm the infant, and the effect it will play on the child development is well documented (Fried, O’Connell, Watkinson, & Barbara, 1992; Morrow, Emmalee, Anthony, Ofir, Xue & Reyes, 2003).
However there are many potential dangers for prenatal mothers that are just becoming aware to the public. New medications are rarely properly tested in pregnant women during the introduction trials ( Nava-Ocampo & Koren, 2007). Prescription drugs such as the effective antiepileptic drug, carbamazepine, used also as a mood stabilizer in various psychiatric disorders has become the subject of concern as a possible teratogen ( Diav-Citrin, Shechtman, Arnon & Ornoy, 2001). Medications such as these might be necessary for the mother, so understanding of the appropriate balance between access of these medications and avoiding unnecessary exposure to these medications is needed (Honein, Moore & Erickson, 2004). New generic forms of isotretinoin - an acne treatment medication, are being released onto the market which brings the need to re-evaluate the potential risk of the drug. These types of teratogens are increasing in populations use, and are increasing the chances of unaware prenatal mothers using them. This gives rise to government sanctions or companies voluntarily placing warning labels on their products for pregnant women. The following is an analysis of prescription and over the counter drugs that have...