Health Boards
What is Acitretin and how does it work?
Acitretin (Neotigason) is a member of a group of drugs called retinoids, closely related to Vitamin A.
It works by slowing down cell reproduction in the skin.
What conditions are treated with Acitretin?
Acitretin is licesed for and most commonly used for treating Psoriasis.
Your Dermatologist may also use it for treating other skin conditions, including:
lichen planus, lupus erythethematosus, ichthyosis & Darier's disease.
Will Acitretin cure my skin condition?
Acitretin is not a cure for these conditions, and when the medication is stopped, the condition is likely to return.
However, most patients will see a gradual improvement of their skin, starting about 2 weeks after treatment commences and continuing for up to 12 weeks.
This improvement should then remain while continuing the treatment.
What dose should I take?
The dose will be dependant on body weight and the type of skin condition you are being treated for.
Acitretin capsules come in 10 & 25mg strengths with most patients taking between 10 & 50mg daily.
It is not advised to take more than 75mg daily.
What time of day should I take Acitretin?
Acitretin is best absorbed into the body alongside fats.
Therefore, it is best taken after a meal.
When should you not take Acitretin?
If a woman becomes pregnant while taking Acitretin it is highly likely that the unborn baby will be damaged by the medication.
Because of this, it is not normally given to women of child bearing age.
Women who have taken Acitretin should wait at least 3 YEARS before attempting to conceive.
Men taking Acitretin can father children with no additional risk.
It is also recommended that patients taking Acitretin DO NOT donate blood after stopping treatment for at least 1 year, and certainly not while on the treatment.
This precaution is taken in case the donated blood is given to a pregnant woman.
If you have had problems with your liver, kidneys or suffer from high cholesterol or diabetes, you should speak with your health professional prior to treatment.
What are the common side effects?
In general the side effects are mild and settle when the dosage is reduced.
An initial worsening of Psoriasis may be seen when the drug is first taken.
High doses may cause dryness of the skin, lips, nostrils & eyes.
The skin may also peel and become fragile.
It is recommended to use a regular moisturiser and lip salve.
There is an increased risk of sunburn and you should use a regular sunscreen.
An increased risk of skin infections is seen if the skin becomes dry and cracked.
Nose bleeds can occur if the inside of the nose becomes dry and cracked.
What are the rare side effects?
Although rare, more serious side effects may be observed, these include:
Increased pressure on the brainmay result in headaches and visual imparement.
Muscles and joints may ache after excercise.
Hair loss and/or thinning may occur.
Increased fat levels in the blood and inflamation of the liver can occur, these symptoms should be closely monitored with regular blood tests.
There may also be a link between Acitretin and mood change, although this remains unproven.
Prolonged use may affect the bones and it may be the case that X-rays will be taken to monitor this.
How will I be monitored for side effects?
Prior to treatment and at regular intervals during medication, your doctor will organise blood tests.
You should be monitored at regular intervals.
May I take alcohol while on Acitretin?
Yes, but with strict limits.
For example:
Keep to less than 1 large (250ml) glass of wine or
1 pint of premium beer (5%) DAILY
These amounts for women should be reduced by 30%
Can I take other medicines while taking Acitretin?
Many drugs can be taken with Acitretin but some but some may interact.
It is very important that you tell your doctor & pharmacist that you are taking Acitretin, this applies before taking any other mebication including over-the-counter medication.
Drugs that may interact with Acitretin include:
Vitamin A: doses above the recommended daily allowance should be avoided
Mini-Pill: Progestin only pill
Antibiotics: Tetracyclines
Methotrexate
Antifungals: Ketoconazole
Anticonvulsants: Carbamazepine
Anticoagulants: Warfarin
This is by no means an exhaustive list and you should always consult your healthcare professional.
Information sourced from the British Association of Dermatologists.
Posts from this thread have been split to: [split] Acitretin
Acitretin (Neotigason) is a member of a group of drugs called retinoids, closely related to Vitamin A.
It works by slowing down cell reproduction in the skin.
What conditions are treated with Acitretin?
Acitretin is licesed for and most commonly used for treating Psoriasis.
Your Dermatologist may also use it for treating other skin conditions, including:
lichen planus, lupus erythethematosus, ichthyosis & Darier's disease.
Will Acitretin cure my skin condition?
Acitretin is not a cure for these conditions, and when the medication is stopped, the condition is likely to return.
However, most patients will see a gradual improvement of their skin, starting about 2 weeks after treatment commences and continuing for up to 12 weeks.
This improvement should then remain while continuing the treatment.
What dose should I take?
The dose will be dependant on body weight and the type of skin condition you are being treated for.
Acitretin capsules come in 10 & 25mg strengths with most patients taking between 10 & 50mg daily.
It is not advised to take more than 75mg daily.
What time of day should I take Acitretin?
Acitretin is best absorbed into the body alongside fats.
Therefore, it is best taken after a meal.
When should you not take Acitretin?
If a woman becomes pregnant while taking Acitretin it is highly likely that the unborn baby will be damaged by the medication.
Because of this, it is not normally given to women of child bearing age.
Women who have taken Acitretin should wait at least 3 YEARS before attempting to conceive.
Men taking Acitretin can father children with no additional risk.
It is also recommended that patients taking Acitretin DO NOT donate blood after stopping treatment for at least 1 year, and certainly not while on the treatment.
This precaution is taken in case the donated blood is given to a pregnant woman.
If you have had problems with your liver, kidneys or suffer from high cholesterol or diabetes, you should speak with your health professional prior to treatment.
What are the common side effects?
In general the side effects are mild and settle when the dosage is reduced.
An initial worsening of Psoriasis may be seen when the drug is first taken.
High doses may cause dryness of the skin, lips, nostrils & eyes.
The skin may also peel and become fragile.
It is recommended to use a regular moisturiser and lip salve.
There is an increased risk of sunburn and you should use a regular sunscreen.
An increased risk of skin infections is seen if the skin becomes dry and cracked.
Nose bleeds can occur if the inside of the nose becomes dry and cracked.
What are the rare side effects?
Although rare, more serious side effects may be observed, these include:
Increased pressure on the brainmay result in headaches and visual imparement.
Muscles and joints may ache after excercise.
Hair loss and/or thinning may occur.
Increased fat levels in the blood and inflamation of the liver can occur, these symptoms should be closely monitored with regular blood tests.
There may also be a link between Acitretin and mood change, although this remains unproven.
Prolonged use may affect the bones and it may be the case that X-rays will be taken to monitor this.
How will I be monitored for side effects?
Prior to treatment and at regular intervals during medication, your doctor will organise blood tests.
You should be monitored at regular intervals.
May I take alcohol while on Acitretin?
Yes, but with strict limits.
For example:
Keep to less than 1 large (250ml) glass of wine or
1 pint of premium beer (5%) DAILY
These amounts for women should be reduced by 30%
Can I take other medicines while taking Acitretin?
Many drugs can be taken with Acitretin but some but some may interact.
It is very important that you tell your doctor & pharmacist that you are taking Acitretin, this applies before taking any other mebication including over-the-counter medication.
Drugs that may interact with Acitretin include:
Vitamin A: doses above the recommended daily allowance should be avoided
Mini-Pill: Progestin only pill
Antibiotics: Tetracyclines
Methotrexate
Antifungals: Ketoconazole
Anticonvulsants: Carbamazepine
Anticoagulants: Warfarin
This is by no means an exhaustive list and you should always consult your healthcare professional.
Information sourced from the British Association of Dermatologists.
Posts from this thread have been split to: [split] Acitretin