Acitretin
About
Acitretin belongs to a group of medications called ‘retinoids’ 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 is given to remove affected skin cells and avoid flare-ups of the disease.
The Acitretin contains ‘Acitretin’, which belongs to the class of retinoids derived from vitamin A. It has anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative (decreases skin cell multiplication) properties. It works by slowing down the progression of the disease. It reduces the speed of skin cell growth and gradually clears the affected skin. It helps reduce the redness, scaling, and thickness of psoriasis rashes.
Acitretin is available in the form of tablets/capsules. You should take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. 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 patients with liver or kidney failure, high cholesterol, and taking other medicines containing retinoids or supplements containing vitamin A. Acitretin should not be used in pregnant and breastfeeding women. 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 take 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 contains ‘Acitretin’ that belongs to the class of ‘retinoids’. Retinoids are derived from vitamin A (retinol) and have anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative (reduces rapid skin cell division) action. Acitretin works by slowing down the progression of the diseases. Acitretin is used when the skin condition doesn’t improve with other conventional therapies. It can treat severe or extensive skin problems where the skin has become thick and scaly such as psoriasis. It can be long-term maintenance therapy for psoriasis patients. It can also be used in the treatment of other skin conditions such as ichthyosis (genetic skin disorder), pityriasis (skin rashes that appear as large spots on the chest, abdomen, or back), and lichen planus (itchy, non-infectious rashes on arms and legs).
Directions for Use
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
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
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, or contraceptive pill and condom) during the treatment and after three years of discontinuing the treatment. You should take reliable contraception even if your periods are not regular or not sexually active unless your doctor decides that this is unnecessary. You should not donate blood during the treatment and after three years of discontinuing the treatment. Acitretin should be used in 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 the treatment as the 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, alcoholic 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
cautionAcitretin 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
cautionAcitretin 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 cause vision problems suddenly, 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 diseases, the dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionAcitretin should not be used in patients with severe kidney failure. In mild to moderate kidney diseases, the dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
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 with excess sugar, as it may flare up 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 fat levels in the blood 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 for the long-term, your doctor may perform 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 test 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 characterized 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 act as triggers for 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 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 down the disease's progression by reducing the speed of skin cell growth.
Acitretin may cause vision problems suddenly, 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 a problem with your vision.
You should not donate blood during the treatment with Acitretin and within three years of discontinuing the treatment. An unborn baby may get 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 down the progression of the disease.
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.
