What is acitretin?
Acitretin is a retinoid, which is a form of vitamin A.
Acitretin is used to treat severe psoriasis in adults. It is usually given after other psoriasis
medicines have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
Acitretin is not a cure for psoriasis, and you may relapse after you stop taking this medication.
Acitretin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acitretin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to acitretin or similar medications such as
Accutane, Altinac, Avita, Renova, Retin-A, and others. Do not use acitretin if you are pregnant, or if
you have:
-
severe kidney disease;
-
severe liver disease;
-
high levels of triglycerides (lipids) in your blood;
-
if you are also using methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
or
-
if you are also using a tetracycline antibiotic, including
demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline
(Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap),
and others.
Acitretin is available only under an agreement that you will use birth control
and undergo required pregnancy testing, and that you will not consume alcohol while you are taking
acitretin and for 2 months after you stop taking it.
If you have any of the following conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely take acitretin:
Acitretin can cause birth defects.
Do not use if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant within 3 years after you stop taking acitretin.
You must use 2 effective forms of birth control starting at least 1 month before treatment with acitretin,
and for at least 3 years after you stop taking this medication. Use both forms of birth control together
every time you have sex.
The first birth control method should include one of the following forms: birth control pills (but
not the "mini-pill"), an intrauterine device (IUD), birth control shots, inserts, skin patches, or implants, a
tubal ligation, or your male partner's vasectomy.
The second birth control method should include one of the following forms: a latex condom, or
a diaphragm or cervical cap used together with a spermicide cream or gel.
For women taking acitretin:
Before using acitretin, you must have 2
negative pregnancy tests. The first test is given when your doctor prescribes acitretin. The second test
must be given during the first 5 days of your menstrual period just before you start taking acitretin. No
testing is needed if you have had a hysterectomy or have gone completely through menopause.
You will need monthly pregnancy tests while you are taking acitretin.
If you are not
menstruating,
your pregnancy test should be done at least 11 days after you last had sex
without using 2 effective forms of birth control.
Do not miss a scheduled pregnancy test or you may not be able to continue taking acitretin.
You will also need pregnancy tests every 3 months for at least 3 years after you stop taking this
medication.
Call your doctor right away if you think you might be pregnant, if you miss a period, or if
you have had sex without using the 2 recommended forms of birth control within 3 years of taking
acitretin.
Do not
take acitretin if you are breast-feeding a baby. Acitretin may pass
into breast milk and harm a nursing baby.
How should I take acitretin?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Acitretin comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. You will also be required to
read and sign an agreement stating you will follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor if you
have any questions.
Acitretin is usually taken with your main meal of the day. Your doctor may occasionally
change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Your psoriasis may seem to get worse at the start of therapy. For best results, keep using
the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after one course of
acitretin treatment.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a
regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Never share this medicine with another person
, even if they have the
same symptoms you have.
Store acitretin at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose of acitretin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait
until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about acitretin?
Your pharmacist has information about acitretin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of acitretin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using acitretin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
-
blurred vision, headache or pain behind your eyes, sometimes with
vomiting;
-
sudden decrease in night vision;
-
depressed mood, aggression, unusual thoughts or behavior,
thoughts of hurting yourself;
-
chest pain or heavy feeling, spreading to the arm or
shoulder, sweating, shortness of breath;
-
sudden headache, confusion, problems with speech or
balance, numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body);
-
sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate;
-
pain or swelling in one or both legs;
-
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
-
loss of feeling in your hands or feet, trouble moving, pain in
your back, joints, muscles, or bones.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
dry or irritated eyes, thinning eyebrows or lashes;
-
chapped or peeling skin, hair loss;
-
dry mouth, dry or runny nose, nosebleeds;
-
warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin;
-
nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite;
-
mouth sores, swollen or bleeding gums;
-
headache;
-
sleep problems (insomnia); or
-
ringing in your ears.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about acitretin?
This medication can cause birth defects.
Do not use if you are pregnant or plan
to become pregnant within 3 years after you stop taking acitretin.
You must use 2
forms of birth control together starting at least 1 month before treatment with acitretin, and for at least 3
years after you stop taking this medication.
For women taking acitretin:
Before and during treatment, and for 3
years after treatment, you must have negative pregnancy tests at regular intervals to make sure you are
not pregnant. No testing is needed if you have had a hysterectomy or have gone completely through
menopause.
Do not donate blood while taking acitretin and for at least 3 years after you stop taking it.
Donated blood may be given to a pregnant woman and could cause birth defects if the blood contains
acitretin.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). acitretin can
make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15)
and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
Women taking acitretin must not drink alcohol during treatment and for at
least 2 months after treatment ends.
Alcohol can cause acitretin to convert to another
substance in your body that can take 3 years or longer to clear from your body. Read the labels of all
foods and medicines you consume to make sure they do not contain alcohol.
Acitretin is available only under an agreement that you will use birth control and undergo
required pregnancy testing, and that you will not consume alcohol while you are taking acitretin and for
2 months after you stop taking it.
What should I avoid while taking acitretin?
Women taking acitretin must not drink alcohol during treatment and for at
least 2 months after treatment ends.
Alcohol can cause acitretin to convert to another
substance in your body that can take 3 years or longer to clear from your body. Read the labels of all
foods and medicines you consume to make sure they do not contain alcohol.
Do not donate blood while taking acitretin and for at least 3 years after you stop taking it.
Donated blood may be given to a pregnant woman and could cause birth defects if the blood contains
acitretin.
Avoid taking vitamin supplements that contain vitamin A. Acitretin is a form of vitamin A, and
taking too much can cause side effects similar to overdose symptoms.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Acitretin can
make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15)
and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
Acitretin can cause side effects that may impair your vision, especially at night. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to see clearly.
What other drugs will affect acitretin?
Before taking acitretin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
acitretin. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins,
minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication
without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of acitretin?
