Acitretin (Systemic)

Brand Names : Soriatane, 13-cis acitretin, etretin, isoetretin

Precautions While Using This Medicine

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits while you are taking this medicine. If your condition has improved and you are no longer taking acitretin, your progress must still be checked . This is especially important for children or elderly patients, who may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine, and for women who want to become pregnant after they stop taking the medicine.

Your skin condition may improve or get worse during the first 3 weeks of treatment and you also may notice some skin irritation from the medicine. With continued use, the expected skin irritation will lessen after a few weeks. Check with your health care professional any time skin irritation becomes severe or if your skin condition does not improve within 8 to 12 weeks .

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine or for at least 2 months after discontinuing treatment .

• Drinking alcohol can change the medicine in the body to a product that stays in your body for an extended period of time. This can increase your chance of developing side effects for a longer period of time than if you hadn't consumed alcohol.
• If a woman consumes alcohol during acitretin treatment, she should consider delaying a pregnancy for longer than 2 or 3 years or as directed by her doctor.

Do not donate blood during treatment with acitretin, for 2 or 3 years following treatment, or as otherwise directed by your doctor . Although problems resulting from a blood transfusion are not likely, this precaution prevents the possibility that your blood would be used in pregnant women.

Acitretin can cause dryness of the eyes, blur your vision, or cause other vision problems. Be aware that while using acitretin you may see a sudden decrease in your night vision (ability to see before the sun rises or after the sun goes down). Also, acitretin may cause your eyes to be more sensitive to light, including sunlight, than they are normally. These effects can make certain activities dangerous, such as driving or operating machines .

Check with your doctor if you experience any vision or eye problem . Wearing contact lenses may become uncomfortable. Your doctor may suggest using artificial tears to keep your eyes from getting too dry.

Acitretin may cause dryness of the mouth, nose, and throat. For temporary relief of mouth dryness, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of developing dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.

Avoid overexposing your skin to wind, cold weather, and sunlight, even on cloudy days. Your skin will be more prone to sunburn, dryness, or irritation, especially during the first 2 or 3 weeks. However, you should not stop taking this medicine, unless the skin irritation becomes too severe. For best results:

• Wear sunglasses that can block ultraviolet (UV) light. Ordinary sunglasses may not protect your eyes.
• Regularly use sunscreen or sunblocking lotions with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
• Wear protective clothing and hats and stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Apply creams, lotions, or moisturizers often. Your health care professional can help you choose the right skin products for you to reduce skin dryness and irritation.
• Do not use an artificial light, such as a sunlamp, unless directed otherwise by your doctor.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is especially important to avoid using the following skin products:

• Any topical acne product or skin product containing a peeling agent (such as benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, or sulfur).
• Hair products that are irritating, such as permanents or hair removal products.
• Skin products that cause sensitivity to the sun, such as those containing spices or limes.
• Skin products containing a large amount of alcohol, such as astringents, shaving creams, or after-shave lotions.
• Skin products that are too drying or abrasive, such as some cosmetics, soaps, or skin cleansers.

Do not take doses of vitamin A or any vitamin supplement containing vitamin A that exceeds the minimum recommended allowance (RDA) while you are taking this medicine. To do so may increase the chance of developing side effects.