Acitretin

It is a retinoid used to treat psoriasis, taken orally.

Acitretin

Acitretin, Etretin, Soriatane, Neotigason, Acitretine

Aceret, Acetec, Acitrin, Acrotac, Zoratame

(2E,4E,6E,8E)-9-(4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylphenyl)-3,7-dimethylnona-2,4,6,8-tetraenoic acid

• Absorption: Oral
• Distribution: 99.9% bound to plasma proteins
• Metabolism: acitretin undergoes extensive metabolism and interconversion by simple isomerization to its 13-cis form (cis-acitretin).
• Excretion: excreted in the feces (34% to 54%) and urine (16% to 53%).

Acitretin is a retinoid. Retinoids have a structure similar to vitamin A and are involved in the normal growth of skin cells. Acitretin works by inhibiting the excessive cell growth and keratinisation (Keratinisation is the process by in which the skin cells become thickened due to the deposition of a protein within them) seen in psoriasis. It therefore reduces the plaque formation, thickening of the skin and scaling.

The recommended dose for adults is 25 to 50 mg/day per oral, given as single dose with the main meal.

• To treat symptoms of severe erythrodermic and generalized pustular psoriasis
• Acitretin has been used in conjunction with interferon-alpha 2a to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
• Treatment of psoriasis

Headache, Phototoxicity, dermatitis, jaundice, oedema, hepatitis, sweating, alopecia and hepatotoxity.

• The therapeutic efficacy of Desogestrel can be decreased when used in combination with Acitretin.
• The therapeutic efficacy of Dienestrol can be decreased when used in combination with Acitretin.
• The therapeutic efficacy of Desogestrel can be decreased when used in combination with Acitretin.
• The therapeutic efficacy of Dienogest can be decreased when used in combination with Acitretin.
• The therapeutic efficacy of Diethylstilbestrol can be decreased when used in combination with Acitretin.
• The therapeutic efficacy of Drospirenone can be decreased when used in combination with Acitretin.
• Reduces anticoagulant effect of coumarins e.g. warfarin.
• Co-administration with food may increase oral bioavailability.

Contraindicated in patients with kidney, liver impairment and during pregnancy.

Store below 25°C.

Molecular weight

326.4293

Molecular formula

C21H26O3

CAS number

55079-83-9

Precautions

• May not be use during pregnancy
• Avoid blood donation during therapy