Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Teratogenic drugs
Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026
Teratogenic drugs: A teratogen is an agent that can disturb the development of the embryo or fetus. Teratogens halt the pregnancy or produce a congenital malformation (a birth defect). Classes of teratogens include radiation, maternal infections, chemicals, and drugs.
Drugs that are capable of acting as teratogens include:
- ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors such as:
- Acne medication isotretinoin (Accutane, Retin-A).
- Alcohol ingested chronically or in binges.
- Androgens (male hormones).
- Antibiotics tetracycline (Achromycin), and doxycycline (Vibramycin), and streptomycin.
- Anticoagulant (blood-thinner) warfarin (Coumadin).
- Anticonvulsants (seizure medications) such as:
- phenytoin (Dilatin),
- valproic acid (Depakene, Valprotate),
- trimethadione (Tridione),
- paramethadione (Paradione), and
- carbamazepine (Tegretol).
- Anti-depressant drug lithium (Eskalith, Lithob).
- Antimetabolite/anticancer drugs methotrexate (Rheumatrex) and aminopterin.
- Antirheumatic agent and metal-binder (chelator) penicillamine (Ciprimene, Depen).
- Antithyroid drugs such as:
- thiouracil/propylthiouracil and
- carbimazole/methimazole.
- Cocaine.
- DES (diethylstilbestrol), a hormone.
- Thalidomide (Thalomid) which was approved by the FDA for the treatment of a complication of leprosy (erythema nodosum leprosum).