What is Soriatane (acitretin)?
Acitretin is an oral medication used to treat psoriasis.
What are the uses for Soriatane (acitretin)?
- Acitretin is used for treating
severe psoriasis in adults. - Acitretin
should be prescribed only by doctors who have experience in the systemic use of
retinoids because it has serious side effects.
Is Soriatane (acitretin) available as a generic drug?
Yes
Do I need a prescription for Soriatane (acitretin)?
Yes
What is the black box warning for Soriatane (acitretin)?
- Acitretin is harmful to the fetus. It must not be used while pregnant, or by
women who intend to be pregnant during therapy or within 3 years following
discontinuation of therapy. It should also not be used by women who do not use
reliable contraception. Patients must use 2 effective forms of contraception
(birth control) simultaneously for at least 1 month prior to starting acitretin
therapy, during therapy, and for at least 3 years after stopping treatment. - Alcohol increases conversion of acitretin to
etretinate
(Tegison), which remains in the
body much longer and is also harmful to the fetus. Therefore, women should not
consume alcohol during treatment with acitretin and for 2 months after stopping
therapy. - Acitretin may cause
liver damage. Acitretin should be discontinued if liver
damage is suspected during treatment.
What are the side effects of Soriatane (acitretin)?
Common side effects of Soriatane include:
- Inflammation of the lips (cheilitis)
- Hair loss
- Increased triglyceride levels
- Skin peeling
- Dry skin (25%-50%)
- Itching
- Cold symptoms
- Joint pain
- Dry mouth
Other side effects of Soriatane include:
- Increased levels of liver enzymes
- Changes in phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and magnesium levels
- Nosebleeds
- Rash
- Increased sun sensitivity
Other less common side effects of Soriatane include:
- Water retention
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
- Flushing
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Gingivitis
- Increased appetite
- Possible serious side effects include:
- Birth defects
(Please see the pregnancy and breastfeeding safety section.) - Liver toxicity
-
Dry eyes (xerophthalmia)
- Pancreatitis
- Pseudotumor cerebri (increased pressure of the fluid in the
brain) - Skeletal abnormalities
Since acitretin can cause liver damage, liver function tests should be
performed before treatment at 1- to 2-week intervals until stable, and
thereafter at intervals as clinically needed
What is the dosage for Soriatane (acitretin)?
- The recommended dose for acitretin is 25 to 50 mg daily given as a single dose with the
main meal.
Is Soriatane (acitretin) safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
- Acitretin is harmful to the fetus, and it must not be used during pregnancy.
Women must use 2 effective forms of contraception (birth control) simultaneously
for at least 1 month prior to starting acitretin therapy, during therapy, and
for at least 3 years after stopping treatment. Major human fetal abnormalities associated with acitretin and/or etretinate include:- Meningomyelocele
- Meningoencephalocele
- Multiple synostoses
- Facial dysmorphia
- Syndactyly
- Absence of terminal phalanges
- Malformations of hip, ankle, and forearm
- Low-set ears
- High palate
- Decreased cranial volume
- Cardiovascular malformation
- And alterations of the skull and cervical vertebrae
- Acitretin should not be used by women who are breastfeeding because acitretin
can pass into breast milk and harm the infant.
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Which drugs or supplements interact with Soriatane (acitretin)?
- Combining acitretin with alcohol increases the formation
of etretinate. Etretinate remains in the body for a longer period than acitretin
and it is very harmful to a fetus. - Acitretin may increase the effects of glyburide (Micronase) on blood glucose
and potentially cause hypoglycemia. - Acitretin reduces the effect of the microdose progestin minipill. The two
drugs should not be combined. - Acitretin should not be combined with methotrexate
(Rheumatrex,
Trexall) due to the increased risk
of liver failure. - Combining tetracycline with acitretin increases intracranial pressure.
- Taking
vitamin A supplements may increase side effects of acitretin because
acitretin and vitamin A have similar chemical structures. - If phototherapy also is being used as treatment, the doses of phototherapy
should be reduced to avoid excessive burning of the skin.
QUESTION
Psoriasis causes the top layer of skin cells to become inflamed and grow too quickly and flake off.
See Answer
What else should I know about Soriatane (acitretin)?
What preparations of Soriatane (acitretin) are available?
- Capsule: 10 and 25 mg
How should I keep Soriatane (acitretin) stored?
- Acitretin should be stored between 15 C and 25 C (59 C and 77 F) and
protected from light. - Exposure to high temperatures and humidity should be
avoided after the bottle is opened.
How does Soriatane (acitretin) work?
- The mechanism of
action of acitretin is unknown. It is chemically related to retinoic acid and
retinol (vitamin A), and it reduces skin cell production and shedding. It takes
several weeks to see its effects, up to 6 months to see a full response, and
psoriasis may worsen before improvement is seen.
When was Soriatane (acitretin) approved by the FDA?
- The FDA approved acitretin in October 1996.