Simple Information Sheet Improves Contraception Knowledge In Isotretinoin Study

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Eleanor B. Schwarz, M.D., M.S
University of California, Davis
Sacramento, CA

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Dr. Schwarz: The background for this study is that…

Women treated with Isotretinoin receive a lot of scary information about this medication’s risk of causing birth defects, but few receive clear information on the most effective ways to protect themselves from undesired pregnancy and the risks of medication-induced birth defects.

Our main finding is that women who spent less than a minute reviewing a simple information sheet were significantly more likely to be aware that some contraceptives are considerably more effective than others.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Schwarz: Clinicians who prescribe medications that can cause birth defects should make sure their patients are aware of the fact that women using a birth control pill are typically twenty times more likely to experience a contraceptive failure than those using a subdermal contraceptive implant (e.g. Nexplanon) or intrauterine contraceptive (e.g. Mirena, ParaGard).

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Schwarz: The next step is to prove that this simple information sheet improves contraceptive knowledge and use in a range of other clinical settings.

Citation:

Promoting Safe Use of Isotretinoin by Increasing Contraceptive Knowledge
Carly A. Werner MD, Melissa J. Papic BS, Laura K. Ferris MD, PhD, Eleanor B. Schwarz MD, MS
JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(4):-. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.4171

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MedicalResearch.com Interview with:, & Dr. Eleanor B. Schwarz, M.D., M.S (2015). Simple Information Sheet Improves Contraception Knowledge In Isotretinoin Study MedicalResearch.com

Last Updated on February 5, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD