If isotretinoin is prescribed, for how long after stopping treatment should contraception be used according to recommended safety guidelines?

• A. One week
• B. One month
• C. Three months
• D. Six months

Answer: (B)

Isotretinoin is highly teratogenic, so contraception must be used not only during therapy but for a period after stopping the drug to prevent fetal exposure as the drug clears from the body. The standard safety guidelines specify continuing contraception for one month after the last isotretinoin dose to cover this clearance period and residual risk. Using contraception for only a week would not adequately cover the time needed for the drug to be eliminated, while extending to three or six months is longer than necessary given the elimination and risk window. Therefore, one month after stopping treatment is the appropriate duration.