Before dispensing isotretinoin, which pregnancy-related check is essential?

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Multiple Choice

Before dispensing isotretinoin, which pregnancy-related check is essential?

Explanation:
Isotretinoin is highly teratogenic, so confirming non-pregnant status with a recent negative pregnancy test before dispensing is essential. This test ensures the patient is not pregnant at the time of dispensing, reflecting the safety measure that prevents fetal exposure. If the test were positive, the drug should not be dispensed. Contraception is important, but it does not replace the need for pregnancy testing, since contraception can fail. In practice, the test is done within a short window before dispensing (often within about a week), with ongoing monitoring during treatment.

Isotretinoin is highly teratogenic, so confirming non-pregnant status with a recent negative pregnancy test before dispensing is essential. This test ensures the patient is not pregnant at the time of dispensing, reflecting the safety measure that prevents fetal exposure. If the test were positive, the drug should not be dispensed. Contraception is important, but it does not replace the need for pregnancy testing, since contraception can fail. In practice, the test is done within a short window before dispensing (often within about a week), with ongoing monitoring during treatment.

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