Acitretin

1 medicine

Acitretin is an oral retinoid for severe psoriasis that lingers in the body long after stopping, so pregnancy must be avoided for three years after the last dose and alcohol must be avoided throughout treatment.

Soriatane

Acitretin

10mg

Soriatane is a skin care medication containing Acitretin, available as 10mg tablets.

from $4.62 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Acitretin (sold as Soriatane and generics) is an oral retinoid, related to vitamin A, used for severe psoriasis and other serious skin disorders that need systemic treatment.
  • You take it once daily with food; visible improvement usually takes 2 to 3 months.
  • Acitretin causes serious birth defects and stays in the body far longer than other retinoids. Anyone who could become pregnant must avoid pregnancy during treatment and for 3 years after the last dose, using two effective contraceptive methods throughout.
  • Never drink alcohol while taking acitretin or for 2 months after stopping: alcohol converts acitretin into a more persistent form that can extend this pregnancy risk even further.

What acitretin treats

Acitretin treats severe plaque psoriasis that has not responded to other treatments, and other disorders of skin thickening and scaling such as ichthyosis, palmoplantar keratoderma and severe exfoliative skin conditions. It is prescribed only when systemic treatment is genuinely needed.

How acitretin works

Acitretin slows the rapid, abnormal production and maturing of skin cells that drives psoriasis plaques and other scaling skin conditions. This lets skin cells shed more evenly, so thickened, scaly patches become thinner and less inflamed over weeks of treatment.

Before you take it

  • Do not take acitretin if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or could become pregnant without committed contraception during treatment and for the full 3 years after your last dose.
  • Do not drink alcohol, in any form, while taking acitretin or for 2 months after stopping. Alcohol converts acitretin into etretinate, which lingers in fat tissue for years and prolongs the birth-defect risk.
  • Tell your prescriber about liver disease, high blood cholesterol or triglycerides, diabetes, and any history of depression.
  • Avoid vitamin A supplements, and tell your prescriber if you take tetracycline antibiotics or methotrexate, both of which interact with acitretin.

Side effects

Common effects include dry, cracked lips and skin, dry eyes and mouth, hair thinning, and mild joint or muscle aches; most ease as your body adjusts.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • A missed period or a positive pregnancy test while on acitretin.
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe stomach pain.
  • Severe low mood or thoughts of self-harm.
  • Blurred vision or loss of night vision.

Safety essentials

  • Pregnancy must be avoided during treatment and for 3 years after stopping acitretin, using two effective contraceptive methods and regular pregnancy tests as your prescriber directs.
  • Do not drink alcohol while taking acitretin or for 2 months afterward. Combined with alcohol, acitretin converts into a long-lived form that can extend the pregnancy-avoidance period well beyond 3 years.
  • Expect ongoing blood tests for liver function and blood fats throughout treatment.
  • Get acitretin only from a specialist prescriber who can manage the pregnancy-prevention program this drug requires.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.