Acitretin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Functions & Usage

What is acitretin used for?

Acitretin is a drug for the treatment of severe psoriasis and other skin disorders in adults. Acitretin is a retinoid that works by promoting the growth and development of healthy skin. This medicine will continue to work after you stop taking it, but after some time, the skin condition returns and you may need to take it again.

Acitretin should not be used to treat women who are still able to bear children unless many other forms of treatment have been applied but have failed. Acitretin should not be used during pregnancy because it causes birth defects in humans. If you may still be pregnant, it is strongly recommended that you read, understand and follow the pregnancy warnings for Acitretin.

What are the rules for using Acitretin drugs?

Read the drug manual and the Patient Information Leaflet provided by the pharmacy, if any, before you get Acitretin and each time you buy again. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Read and complete the Patient Agreement Document and Licensing Information before deciding to take this drug.

Take this medication as prescribed, usually once daily with your main meal.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not take this medication more often or increase your dose without consulting your doctor. This method will not make your condition better sooner, it can actually increase the risk of side effects.

It may take 2 to 3 months before the full benefits of this drug are seen.

Use this remedy regularly to get the best benefits. Remember to use it at the same time every day.

Because this medicine can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and can harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not take this medicine or inhale the dust from the capsules.

How to store acitretin?

Store at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using Acitretin drugs?

You should not take this drug if you are allergic to Acitretin or similar drugs (such as Accutane, Altinac, Avita, Renova, Retin-A, and others), or if you have:

• Severe renal liver disease
• High levels of triglycerides (a type of fat) in your blood
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• If you are also using methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
• If you are also taking tetracycline antibiotics, including demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap), and others

Acitretin is only available if you have agreed to use contraception and have taken the necessary pregnancy tests, and you also need to agree that as long as you take Acitretin and for 2 months thereafter you will not consume alcoholic beverages.

To make sure you can safely take Acitretin, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

• Kidney disease or liver disease
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes (you may need to check your blood sugar more often)
• Depression
• When you receive phototherapy
• If you drink large amounts of alcohol
• If you have ever experienced etretinate (Tegison or Tigason)

Is the drug Acitretin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This medicine is included in the risk of pregnancy category X.

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of acitretin?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Acitretin and call your doctor if you have serious side effects, such as:

• Blurred vision, headache or pain behind your eyes, sometimes with nausea and vomiting
• A sudden decrease in sharpness in night vision
• Feelings of depression, aggression, unusual experiences or behavior, thoughts of wanting to hurt yourself
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Loss of feeling in the hands or feet, difficulty moving, pain in the back, joints, muscles, or bones
• Thrush, swollen or bleeding gums
• Increased blood sugar levels (thirst more, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss)
• Chest pain or feeling of heaviness, spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, shortness of breath
• Sudden severe headache, confusion, unable to speak normally, problems with balance, numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body)
• Sudden coughing, wheezing, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate
• Pain, swelling, or parts of one or both legs feeling warm or reddish

Less serious side effects may include:

• Dry eyes, cracked or flaking skin, hair loss
• Itching, scaling, or a sticky feeling on your skin
• Brittle nails and skin
• Dry mouth, dry or runny nose, nosebleeds
• Mild headache, muscle tightness
• Nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea
• Flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling feeling)
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Ringing in ears

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the action of the Acitretin drug?

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur. In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

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

• Chlortetracycline
• Demeclocycline
• Doxycycline
• Lymecycline
• Meclocycline
• Methacycline
• Minocycline
• Oxytetracycline
• Rolitetracycline
• Tetracycline

Using this medication 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 the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Levonorgestrel

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the action of the Acitretin drug?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Acitretin?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Depression, have a history of experiencing depression
• Vision problems or
• Heart disease
• Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol in the blood)
• Hyperostosis (abnormal bone growth)
• Hypertriglyceridemia (high blood triglycerides or fats)
• Hypervitaminosis A (too much vitamin A in the body), or have a history of hypervitaminosis A
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) or
• Pseudotumor cerebri (brain problem)
• Psychosis, or have had a history of psychosis - Use with caution. It might make things worse.
• Diabetes mellitus, or have a family history of living with diabetes mellitus
• Obesity - Use with caution. May increase the risk of side effects.
• Severe hyperlipidemia (high fat in the blood)
• Severe kidney disease
• Severe liver disease - Should not be used in patients with this condition

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of acitretin for adults?

Usual Adult Dose for Psoriasis:

• Initial dose: 25-50 mg orally once a day, given as a single dose with the main meal
• Maintenance dose: 25-50 mg orally once a day, given to the individual patient's response to initial treatment

Comment: When used with phototherapy, the healthcare provider should reduce the phototherapy dose, depending on the individual patient response.

Use: Treatment of severe psoriasis in adults.

What is the dose of acitretin for children?

Acitretin is not recommended for use in children <18 years.

In what dosages and preparations is Acitretin available?

Capsules, oral: 10mg, 17.5mg, 25mg

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Symptoms of an overdose include:

• Headache
• Dizzy
• Gag
• Stomach feels bad
• Dry skin, itchy skin
• Lost appetite
• Bone or joint pain

If a woman who is still possibly pregnant, overdoses on Acitretin, she should take a pregnancy test after the overdose and use two forms of contraception for the next 3 years.

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.