Acitretin (By mouth)

a-si-TRE-tin

Treats severe psoriasis.

Drug classes

Antipsoriatic (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Acitretin is used to treat severe skin disorders, such as psoriasis. It works by allowing normal growth and development of the skin. Acitretin will continue to work after you stop taking it, but after a time, the skin condition returns and you may need to take it again.

Acitretin must not be used to treat women who are able to bear children unless other forms of treatment have been tried first and have failed. Acitretin must not be taken during pregnancy because it causes birth defects in humans. If you are able to bear children, it is very important that you read, understand, and follow the pregnancy warnings for acitretin.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Capsule

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

It is best to take this medicine with food, at your main meal of the day.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Do not use this medicine if you are also taking methotrexate or a tetracycline antibiotic, such as doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline.

Some medicines can affect how acitretin works. Tell your doctor if you are also taking any of the following:

Birth control pills Multivitamins or vitamin A supplements Glyburide Phenytoin Retinoid medicine, such as isotretinoin

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. Do not drink alcohol for at least 2 months after your last dose.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to acitretin, etretinate, or similar medicines, such as isotretinoin. Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have severe kidney or liver disease, or high cholesterol or triglyceride levels that cannot be controlled.

Warnings

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy because it can cause very serious birth defects. You must use 2 forms of birth control for 1 month before you start taking acitretin, for the entire time you are being treated, and for 3 years after you take your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bone or muscle problems, diabetes, eye or vision problems, heart disease, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, or a history of depression. Tell your doctor if you are also receiving light therapy (phototherapy).

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Liver problems Bone or muscle problems Capillary leak syndrome (blood vessel problem) Depression or changes in mood or behavior

Do not donate blood during the time you are being treated with this medicine and for at least 3 years after you take your last dose.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

Your psoriasis may get worse for a short time before it starts to improve. It may take 8 weeks or longer before your skin starts to look and feel better.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

Changes in vision (especially at night), eye pain or irritation

Chest pain, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, faintness

Cloudy urine, lightheadedness, fever, swelling of hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs

Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

Feeling depressed, thoughts of hurting yourself or others, unusual mood or behavior

Increased hunger or thirst, increase in how much or how often you urinate

Joint pain or stiffness

Severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Dry eyes or mouth, chapped lips, stuffy or runny nose

Hair loss

Mild skin dryness, peeling, scaling, redness, or itching

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Soriatane

There may be other brand names for this medicine.