Acitretin

It is a synthetic retanoid.

Indications

Severe recalcitrant psoriasis, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, ichthyosiform erythroderma, keratosis, folliculosis, lamellar ichthyosis, linchen planus.

Dosage

Adults : 0.5 to 0.75mg/kg/day orally.

Contra-Indications

Pancreatitis, disease of liver, renal disease, skeletal hyperostosis, premature epiphyseal colosure, hypertriglyceridemia, pregnancy, lactating mothers.

Special Precautions

Liver enzyme and serum lipids must be checked periodically. Women of child-bearing age must wait at least 3 years for conception after completing acitretin treatment.

Side Effects

Most freequent side effects are alopecia, arthralgia, ceruminosis, cheilosis, dry eye and nose, eyeled dermatitis, gingivitis, headache, hypertonia, myalgia, nausea, polydipsia, pruritus of skin, rhinitis, skin photosensitivity, skin scaling of feet and hands spinal hyperostosis, stomatitis, vomiting.

Drug Interactions

Methotrexate, isotretinoin, tetracyclines, selected recinoids, vitamins-A, progestin (only contraceptives).