Acitretin
About Acitretin
Acitretin is used to treat psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune (immune system attacks healthy cells) skin disorder in which the skin becomes scaly, swollen, and itchy. It mostly affects the knee, elbows, scalp, and trunk. It is a lifelong condition, and treatment aims to remove affected skin cells and prevent flare-ups.
Acitretin contains ‘Acitretin’, which belongs to the class of retinoids derived from vitamin A. It has anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative (anti-proliferative) properties (i.e., it decreases skin cell multiplication). It works by slowing down the progression of the disease. It slows the growth of skin cells and gradually clears the affected skin. It helps reduce the redness, scaling, and thickness of psoriasis rashes.
Acitretin may cause side effects such as dry lips, peeling of the skin, especially the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, nose bleed, scaling and thinning of healthy skin, reddening of the skin, itching, burning sensation on the skin, sticky skin, hair loss, swelling and pain in the area around your nails, fragile nails, inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis), increased thirst, and feeling cold. These side effects usually go away after discontinuing the treatment. However, if any of these side effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor immediately.
Do not take Acitretin if you are allergic to Acitretin or any other ingredients present in it. Acitretin should not be used in pregnant and breastfeeding women, in patients with liver or kidney failure or high cholesterol and who are taking other medicines containing retinoids or supplements containing vitamin A.
Acitretin should be used with caution in children as it may affect growth and bone development. Acitretin may require dose adjustments when used in older people. Do not consume alcohol, as it may increase the risk of side effects. Acitretin may cause vision problems, especially in the dark, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you notice any vision problems.
Uses of Acitretin
Medicinal Benefits
- Acitretin effectively treats severe psoriasis by reducing excessive skin cell growth.
- Helps clear scaly, thickened, and inflamed skin lesions.
- Improves overall skin texture and appearance in chronic skin conditions.
- Reduces inflammation and scaling associated with psoriasis and keratinisation disorders.
- Used in treating other skin conditions like ichthyosis and keratosis pilaris.
- Helps normalise skin cell differentiation and turnover.
- Provides long-term improvement and remission in severe, resistant psoriasis.
- It can be used as part of a comprehensive therapy to enhance skin healing and reduce flare-ups.
Directions for Use
- Acitretin can be taken preferably with meals or a glass of milk as advised by a doctor.
- It is advised to take Acitretin once daily, or as directed by your doctor, at the same time each day for best results.
- Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Acitretin
- Dry lips
- Peeling of the skin, especially the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
- Nose bleed
- Scaling and thinning of healthy skin
- Reddening of the skin
- Itching
- Burning sensation on the skin
- Sticky skin
- Hair loss
- Swelling and pain in the area around your nails
- Fragile nails
- Inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis)
- Increased thirst
- Feeling cold
Drug Warnings
- Acitretin should not be used in pregnant and breastfeeding women. So, the doctor may advise you to take a pregnancy test before using Acitretin. You should also take effective and reliable contraception (such as an intrauterine device, contraceptive implant, contraceptive pill and condom) during the treatment and for three years after discontinuing the treatment.
- You should take reliable contraception even if your periods are not regular or you are not sexually active, unless your doctor decides that this is unnecessary.
- You should not donate blood during treatment or for 3 years after discontinuing treatment.
- Acitretin should be used with caution in patients with diabetes as it can alter blood glucose levels.
- Acitretin may cause vision problems, especially in the night-time. So, inform your doctor if you notice vision problems.
- Do not wear contact lenses during treatment, as Acitretin may cause dry eyes.
- Acitretin may increase skin sensitivity, so avoid going in strong sunlight and using a sunbed.
- Acitretin may affect your mood, so inform your doctor if you have mental health problems like depression. Also, inform your doctor if you notice drastic mood changes while using Acitretin.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Acitretin should not be used in patients taking other retinoids or supplements containing vitamin A. Acitretin may interact with an antibiotic (tetracycline) and cause increased pressure in the brain. It may interact with a medicine used to treat cancer, psoriasis, or rheumatic diseases (methotrexate) and cause liver damage. It may decrease the efficacy of an antiepileptic drug (phenytoin). It may also interact with a mini-pill (a type of birth control pill with low doses of progesterone).
Drug-Food Interactions: Do not consume alcohol while using Acitretin as it may increase the risk of side effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Acitretin should be used with caution in patients with liver or kidney failure, high cholesterol, overweight, alcohol abuse, diabetes, and mental health problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAcitretin may interact with alcohol and increase the risk of side effects. So, it is not recommended to take alcohol, especially women of childbearing potential, during the treatment and at least 2 months after completing the treatment.
Pregnancy
unsafeAcitretin should not be used in pregnant women as it may cause harmful effects to the unborn baby or fetus. Consult your doctor for further advice.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAcitretin should not be given to breastfeeding mothers as it may pass into breast milk and harm the nursing baby. Consult your doctor for further advice.
Driving
unsafeAcitretin may suddenly cause vision problems, especially in the dark. So, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you notice any vision problems, especially at night.
Liver
cautionAcitretin should not be used in patients with severe liver failure, as Acitretin may cause liver damage. In mild to moderate liver disease, your doctor may need to adjust the dose.
Kidney
cautionAcitretin should not be used in patients with severe kidney failure. In mild to moderate kidney disease, your doctor may need to adjust the dose.
Children
cautionAcitretin should be used in children only if clinically needed, as it may affect growth and bone development. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Use mild soap while taking baths and prefer warm baths.
- Do not scratch or pick your skin to avoid infecting the affected area.
- Avoid harsh products on your skin.
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Limit intake of food that might trigger allergies, such as dairy products, soy, eggs, and nuts.
- Avoid consuming foods high in sugar, as it may flare inflammation.
- Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and fish in your diet.
- Avoid getting in contact with harsh soaps, detergents, and rough fabrics.
Special Advise
- Growth and bone development should be regularly monitored if the Acitretin is given to children.
- Patients with diabetes are advised to monitor blood glucose levels while using this medicine regularly.
- Patients with high cholesterol should regularly monitor their blood fat levels while using this medicine.
- Your doctor may also check liver function before, during, and after three weeks of discontinuing Acitretin, as this medicine may affect liver function.
- If Acitretin is prescribed long-term, your doctor may order an X-ray of certain bones once a year, as this medicine may affect bone development.
- Acitretin may cause birth defects, so women planning for pregnancy are advised to the regular pregnancy tests and should not become pregnant for the next three years after using Acitretin.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease characterised by red, itchy, and scaly rashes. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells. In this condition, skin cells grow and build up rapidly, resulting in scaly rashes, mostly on the knees, elbows, scalp, and trunk. Stress and cold can trigger this disease. It is a chronic disease and doesn’t have a permanent cure. Treatment is given to control the disease and prevent flare-ups.
FAQs
Acitretin is used to treat psoriasis, an autoimmune (immune system attacks healthy cells) skin disorder characterised by scaly, swollen, and itchy skin.
Acitretin contains Acitretin, which belongs to the class of retinoids and is used to treat severe psoriasis. It has anti-inflammatory action and reduces the rashes, redness, scaling, and thickness. It also has antiproliferative properties and slows disease progression by slowing skin cell growth.
Acitretin may suddenly cause vision problems, especially in the dark. So, inform your doctor immediately if you experience vision problems. Also, refrain from activities such as driving or operating heavy machinery if you have vision problems.
You should not donate blood during the treatment with Acitretin and for three years after discontinuing the treatment. An unborn baby may be harmed if a pregnant woman receives your donated blood.
Acitretin may not affect your immune system. It is not an immunosuppressant. It controls psoriasis by slowing its progression.
Acitretin may affect blood glucose levels and should be used with caution in patients with diabetes. You may have to regularly monitor blood glucose levels while using this medicine.
Acitretin may cause side-effects such as dry lips, peeling of the skin, especially the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, nose bleed, scaling and thinning of healthy skin, reddening of the skin, itching, burning sensation on the skin, sticky skin, hair loss, swelling and pain in the area around your nails, fragile nails, inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis), increased thirst, and feeling cold. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor immediately.
Acitretin should not be used in pregnant women as it may cause harmful effects to the unborn baby or foetus. Consult your doctor for further advice.
No, Acitretin is not an immunosuppressant. It belongs to the class of retinoids used to treat psoriasis.
Drinking alcohol with Acitretin may increase the risk of side effects. So, it is not recommended to take alcohol, especially women of childbearing potential, during the treatment and for at least 2 months after completing the treatment.
You may notice an improvement in 4-6 weeks of using Acitretin. However, it might take 3-4 months to notice the full benefits.
Acitretin may cause foetal harm; so, do not take Acitretin if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant within the next 3 years. Acitretin may cause liver damage. Inform the doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of liver damage, such as nausea, vomiting, upper right abdominal pain, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or dark urine.
Acitretin may not affect semen. However, a small amount of Acitretin is present in the semen of male patients who take this medication. Though it is not known if this affects the foetus, talk to your doctor about the risks of taking Acitretin if your partner is pregnant or plans to become pregnant.
Take Acitretin with the main meal. It should be swallowed as a whole with water; do not crush or chew it.
Avoid becoming pregnant and alcohol consumption during treatment with Acitretin as it might affect the foetus. Do not donate blood while taking Acitretin and for 3 years after treatment. Acitretin may cause blurred vision; so, do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert. Acitretin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight; therefore, avoid prolonged exposure.
