acitretin

a-si-TRE-tin

Oral route(Capsule)

Acitretin is teratogenic and major human fetal abnormalities have been reported with the administration of acitretin. Acitretin is also associated with hepatotoxicity. Acitretin must not be used by females who are pregnant, or who intend to become pregnant during therapy or at any time for at least 3 years following discontinuation of therapy. Ethanol must not be ingested by female patients either during treatment or for 2 months after cessation of therapy. Prior to treatment, females must have two negative urine or serum pregnancy tests, then repeat pregnancy tests once every month during treatment and once every 3 months for at least 3 years after treatment discontinuation. . Two effective forms of contraception must be used simultaneously for at least 1 month prior to initiation of therapy, during therapy, and for at least 3 years following cessation of therapy. Use of St. John's Wort should be avoided during contraception treatment. The do your P.A.R.T. booklet must be provided to educate women of childbearing potential of the program requirements to prevent pregnancy. Informed consent is required for female patients warning about the risks of therapy. Patients should not donate blood during and for at least 3 years following acitretin therapy. All patients must receive the medication guide each time acitretin is dispensed .

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Soriatane

Available Dosage Forms:

• Capsule

Therapeutic Class: Antipsoriatic

Chemical Class: Retinoid

Uses For acitretin

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.

acitretin is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using acitretin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For acitretin, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to acitretin or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of acitretin in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of acitretin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving acitretin.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	X	Studies in animals or pregnant women have demonstrated positive evidence of fetal abnormalities. This drug should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant because the risk clearly outweighs any possible benefit.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking acitretin, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using acitretin with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Chlortetracycline


• Demeclocycline


• Doxycycline


• Methacycline


• Minocycline


• Oxytetracycline


• Rolitetracycline


• Tetracycline

Using acitretin with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Levonorgestrel

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using acitretin with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use acitretin, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Ethanol

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of acitretin. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Depression, history of or


• Eye or vision problems or


• Heart disease or


• Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol in the blood) or


• Hyperostosis (bone growth that is not normal) or


• Hypertriglyceridemia (high triglycerides or fats in the blood) or


• Hypervitaminosis A (too much vitamin A in the body), or history of or


• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) or


• Pseudotumor cerebri (brain problem) or


• Psychosis, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Diabetes mellitus, or a family history of or


• Obesity—Use with caution. May increase risk for side effects.

• Hyperlipidemia, severe (high fats in the blood) or


• Kidney disease, severe or


• Liver disease, severe—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Proper Use of acitretin

It is very important that you take acitretin only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Acitretin comes with a patient information form and medication guide. It is very important that you read and understand this information. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully and ask your doctor if you have any questions. You will be asked to sign a consent form before you starting taking acitretin to show that you understand the instructions.

You will be given information about the Do Your P.A.R.T. program, which is also called the Pregnancy Prevention Actively Required During and After Treatment program. This is important information about how to prevent pregnancy while you are using acitretin. Ask your doctor about this program if you have any questions.

It is best to take acitretin with a main meal.

For women—acitretin may cause birth defects. To make sure that you are not pregnant before beginning treatment, your doctor will ask you to:

• Use two effective forms of birth control (contraception) together for at least 1 month before beginning treatment.


• Report when your menstrual periods are normal.


• Take a pregnancy test within 1 week before beginning treatment to make sure you are not pregnant.


• Begin your acitretin treatment on Day 2 or Day 3 of your next menstrual period.


• Sign a paper to show that you understand the importance of not becoming pregnant for at least 2 to 3 years after you stop taking acitretin.

Women who are able to bear children must use two effective forms of birth control together for at least 2 to 3 years after they stop taking acitretin to help prevent an unplanned pregnancy. If you do not think this is reasonable or feel like you can not do this, talk to your doctor before you start taking acitretin.

You must not share acitretin with anyone else because of the risk for birth defects and other serious side effects.

Dosing

The dose of acitretin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of acitretin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (capsules):
  
  • For severe psoriasis:
    
    • Adults—25 to 50 milligrams (mg) once a day as a single dose. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of acitretin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

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

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using acitretin

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that acitretin is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using acitretin while you are pregnant can cause very serious birth defects. You must use two forms of birth control together for 1 month before starting acitretin, for the entire time that you are being treated with acitretin, and for 3 years after you take your last dose of acitretin. You will need to have two negative pregnancy tests to be sure that you are not pregnant before you start using acitretin. You will also need to have pregnancy tests every month during treatment, and every 3 months for 3 years after you stop taking the medicine. If you think you have become pregnant while using acitretin, stop taking it and call your doctor right away.

Do not use methotrexate (Rheumatrex®, Trexall®) or a tetracycline medicine to treat an infection (such as doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, Minocin®, or Vibramycin®) while you are using acitretin. Using these medicines together may cause unwanted side effects.

Do not take other medicines without checking first with your doctor. This includes vitamins, herbal products, prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines. Some of these medicines or nutritional supplements (e.g., St. John's wort) may make your birth control pills not work.

Do not take vitamin A or any supplement containing vitamin A while you are using acitretin, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Your skin condition may improve or get worse during the first few weeks of treatment and you also may notice some skin irritation from the medicine. With continued use, the expected skin irritation will lessen after a few weeks. Check with your doctor if the skin irritation becomes worse or if your skin condition does not improve within 8 to 12 weeks.

Women who are able to bear children must avoid all forms of alcohol while they are taking acitretin and for 2 months after they stop. Do not eat foods, drink beverages, or take medicines that contain alcohol. Drinking alcohol will make the medicine remain in the body for an extended period of time and will increase the chance for side effects. If a woman consumes alcohol during acitretin treatment, she should consider delaying a pregnancy for longer than 2 to 3 years. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about this.

Do not donate blood during treatment with acitretin, for 3 years following treatment, or as otherwise directed by your doctor. Women who are able to bear children must not receive blood containing the medicine.

Liver problems may occur while you are using acitretin. Stop using acitretin and check with your doctor right away if you are having more than one of these symptoms: abdominal pain or tenderness; clay-colored stools; dark urine; decreased appetite; fever; headache; itching; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting; skin rash; swelling of the feet or lower legs; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin.

Acitretin may cause bone or muscle problems, including joint pain, muscle pain or stiffness, or difficulty moving. You may get hurt more easily during rough sports. You may heal more slowly.

Acitretin may cause blurred vision or a decrease in night vision (night blindness). The night blindness may occur suddenly. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well. Stop taking the medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have vision changes.

Acitretin may cause dry eyes. Wearing contact lenses may become uncomfortable while using acitretin. To help relieve dry eyes, check with your doctor about using a lubricating solution, such as artificial tears. If severe eye irritation or inflammation occurs, check with your doctor.

Acitretin may cause dryness of the mouth, nose, and throat. For temporary relief of mouth dryness, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if dry mouth continues for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of developing dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.

Avoid exposing your skin to wind, cold weather, and sunlight, even on cloudy days. Your skin will be more prone to sunburn, dryness, or irritation, especially during the first 2 or 3 weeks. You should not stop taking acitretin, unless the skin irritation becomes too severe. Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed. Use sunscreen or sunblock lotions with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 on a regular basis. Wear protective clothing and hats and stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you should avoid skin products that can irritate the skin. Some examples are:

• Any topical acne product or skin product containing a peeling agent (such as benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, or sulfur).


• Hair products that are irritating, such as permanents or hair removal products.


• Skin products that cause sensitivity to the sun, such as those containing spices or limes.


• Skin products containing a large amount of alcohol, such as astringents, shaving creams, or after-shave lotions.


• Skin products that are too drying or abrasive, such as some cosmetics, soaps, or skin cleansers.

For diabetic patients:

• acitretin may affect blood sugar levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you have any questions, check with your doctor.

Pancreatitis may occur while you are using acitretin. Tell your doctor right away if you have sudden and severe stomach pain, chills, constipation, nausea, vomiting, fever, or lightheadedness.

Acitretin may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies or to become more depressed. If you or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, check with you doctor right away.

acitretin Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Back pain


• bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste


• bone or joint pain


• change in taste


• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears


• difficulty with moving or walking


• excessive muscle tone


• feeling of warmth


• headache (severe and continuing)


• hearing loss


• increased sensitivity to pain


• increased sensitivity to touch


• muscle stiffness


• muscle tension or tightness


• nausea or vomiting (severe and continuing)


• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest


• redness of the skin


• sleeplessness


• stiff, painful muscles


• thinning of the skin with easy bruising


• tingling in the hands and feet


• tongue irritation


• trouble sleeping


• unable to sleep

Less common

• Acid or sour stomach


• blurred vision


• belching


• breast pain


• eye pain


• eye problems, such as loss of eyebrows or eyelashes, redness or swelling of the eyelid, redness of the eyes, sensitivity of the eyes to light, or watery eyes


• general feeling of discomfort or illness


• heartburn


• increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs


• indigestion


• itching of the vagina or genital area


• loosening of the fingernails


• pain during sexual intercourse


• redness or soreness around the fingernails


• sore mouth or tongue


• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor


• white patches in the mouth or on the tongue

Rare

• Abdominal or stomach pain


• bleeding gums


• bleeding time increased


• chest pain


• coughing, hoarseness, trouble in speaking, or flu-like symptoms


• coughing up blood


• darkened urine


• diarrhea


• difficulty in breathing or swallowing


• double vision or other problems in seeing, including decreased night vision after sunset and before sunrise


• increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding


• itchy or painful ears


• light-colored stools


• nosebleeds


• pale or cold hands or feet


• paralysis


• prolonged bleeding from cuts


• red or dark brown urine


• shortness of breath


• skin problems, such as abnormal sensation of burning or stinging, cracking, redness, skin irritation or rash (including a rash that looks like psoriasis), infection, ulcers, unusual odor, or small red spots in the skin


• sore on the edge of the eyelid (stye)


• thick, white, curd-like vaginal discharge


• unpleasant breath odor


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• vaginal itching or irritation


• vomiting of blood


• yellowing of the skin or eyes

Incidence not known

• Assault


• attack


• burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations


• chest pain or discomfort


• confusion


• difficulty with breathing


• difficulty with speaking


• doing things to injure oneself


• force


• inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles


• inability to speak


• pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves


• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck


• shortness of breath


• slow speech


• slurred speech


• sudden loss of coordination


• sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arms or legs


• sudden, unexplained shortness of breath


• sweating


• thoughts of killing oneself


• unsteadiness or awkwardness


• vision changes


• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

• Dizziness or lightheadedness


• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings


• sensation of spinning

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Chapped, red, or swollen lips


• difficulty in wearing contact lenses


• dry or runny nose


• dryness of the eyes


• increased ability to sunburn


• increased amount of ear wax (unusual)


• irritation in the mouth or swollen gums


• itchy skin


• loss of hair (usually reversible)


• nosebleeds


• scaling and peeling of the eyelids, fingertips, palms, and soles of feet


• sticky skin


• unusual thirst

Less common

• Constipation


• diarrhea


• increased sweating

Incidence not known

• Cracking fingernails or fingernails break easily


• muscular pain, tenderness, wasting, or weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

See also: acitretin side effects (in more detail)

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More acitretin resources

• Acitretin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Acitretin Dosage
• Acitretin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Acitretin Drug Interactions
• Acitretin Support Group
• 2 Reviews for Acitretin - Add your own review/rating

• acitretin Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Acitretin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Acitretin Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Acitretin MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Soriatane Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Soriatane CK MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

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