A solution to your severe psoriasis? Let's learn exactly about Acitretin!

Do you have psoriasis, a condition where your skin becomes scaly, red, sometimes itchy, and painful? This is a really frustrating disease. So, a special medicine that doctors recommend for such severe skin conditions is called Acitretin. Let's talk about this medicine in detail today, shall we?

What kind of medicine is Acitretin?

Simply put, Acitretin is a medication used to treat severe forms of psoriasis. You may have seen this medication under the brand name `Soriatane`. It comes in capsule form. However, doctors may also prescribe this medication for other conditions. So if you have any questions about this medication, it is best to ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What are the things you need to tell the doctor before taking medication?

Before you start taking Acitretin, there are a few things you should definitely tell your doctor. This medicine may not be suitable for some people. Therefore, it is very important to talk to your doctor honestly about these things:

• If you are addicted to alcohol.
• If you have a condition like depression.
• If you are a diabetic (`Diabetes Mellitus`).
• If your cholesterol level is high.
• If you have heart disease.
• If you have a kidney-related condition.
• If you have a liver disease.
• If you are using an herbal supplement like `St. John's Wort`.
• If you have any vision impairment or problem.
• If you have an allergy to medications such as acitretin, etretinate, vitamin A, isotretinoin, tretinoin, other medications, foods, artificial colors, or preservatives.
• Most importantly, if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should definitely tell your doctor . We will talk about this in more detail later.

How do you use this medicine correctly?

This medicine is a capsule to take by mouth. You should take it with a glass of water. The most important thing is to take this medicine with a meal. You should take the medicine exactly as your doctor has prescribed, at the right time, in the right amount. Do not take more than the doctor has told you to take, or stop taking it before the prescribed time, without your doctor's advice.

When you are given this medicine by the pharmacy, you will also receive a special instruction leaflet (`MedGuide`). It is very important to read and understand this leaflet carefully each time you get a new prescription or when you get a new one.

If you are giving this medicine to young children, you should talk to a pediatrician about it and follow their advice. Special care may be needed at that time.

What if I take an overdose?

If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, call a poison control center or the nearest emergency room immediately.

Important: This medicine is for you only. Do not share this medicine with anyone else for any reason.

What do you do if you miss a medication appointment?

If you forget to take a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your regular time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.

What other things can interact with this medicine? (Interactions)

Some medications, foods, or supplements may interact with Acitretin. Therefore, when you are taking this medication, do not take it with the following:

• Alcohol: This is very important. Do not take this medicine with alcohol, which is found in drinks, foods, and some medicines (including some over-the-counter medicines).
• Etretinate: Tell your doctor if you have ever taken this medicine before.
• Methotrexate
• Multivitamins or nutritional supplements containing vitamin A.
• Birth control pills that do not contain estrogen, but only contain progestin (e.g., the mini pill).
• The herbal supplement `St. John's Wort`.
• Tetracycline-type antibiotics (e.g. tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline).
• Other vitamin A medications (e.g. isotretinoin, tretinoin).

This list may not include all possible interactions. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medicines you take (prescribed, over-the-counter, herbal products, vitamins, nutritional supplements), and if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some things can interact with your medicine.

Be especially careful about these things when taking medicine!

There are a few things you should pay attention to when using Acitretin:

• When you first start taking this medicine, you may feel like your psoriasis is getting worse. Don't worry, this is normal. It may take about 2 to 3 months to see the full effects of the medicine.

Pregnancy and Acitretin - This is the most important thing!

Warning: Acitretin is a drug that can cause very serious birth defects in an unborn baby.

Therefore, if you are a woman, you need to be very careful about these things:

• Do not get pregnant: Do not get pregnant for any reason while taking this medicine.
• Pregnancy tests: Before starting the pill, you should have two negative pregnancy tests to make sure you are not pregnant. After that, you should have a monthly pregnancy test for the entire time you are taking the pill. This should be done even if you are not sexually active.
• Birth control: You must use two reliable forms of birth control for one month before starting the pill, for the entire time you are taking the pill, and for 3 years after you stop taking the pill . Do not use birth control pills that do not contain estrogen (such as the mini pill) during this time, as they may not work as well with this pill.
• If you become pregnant: If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, if your periods stop, or if you stop using birth control, you should stop taking this medicine immediately and tell your doctor . Serious birth defects can occur.
• Breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed your child while taking this medicine or before.
• Special booklet (`Do Your PART booklet`): When you are prescribed medication, your doctor or pharmacist will give you a special booklet called ``Do Your PART``, a patient handout, a birth control referral form for female patients, and a ``Patient Agreement/Informed Consent Form``. These should be read, understood, and signed. If you have not discussed or signed this with your doctor, see your doctor immediately.

Do not share this medicine with anyone else because of the risk of birth defects and other serious side effects.

About blood donation

Do not donate blood while you are taking this medicine and for 3 years after you stop taking it. This medicine in your blood can harm the unborn baby if it is given to a pregnant woman. However, you should not have any problems receiving blood transfusions while you are taking this medicine.

When going out into the sun

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Therefore, avoid sun exposure as much as possible. If you must go out in the sun, wear clothing that covers your skin and use sunscreen. Do not use a sun lamp. If you are taking phototherapy, your doctor may need to adjust the amount of light you are exposed to to prevent sunburn.

Other things to consider

• Dry mouth: Your mouth may feel dry. You can help manage this by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on a piece of ginger, and drinking plenty of water. If this problem persists or becomes severe, talk to your doctor .
• Cholesterol and triglyceride levels: This medicine may increase your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and decrease your HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Your doctor will monitor these levels and recommend diet, exercise, or other medications as needed.
• Diabetes: If you have diabetes, this medicine may affect your blood sugar levels. Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if you notice any changes in your blood sugar tests.
• Alcohol again! Avoid alcoholic beverages, foods, and all medications (including over-the-counter medications) that contain alcohol while taking this medication and for 2 months after stopping the medication. Avoiding alcohol is very important because alcohol can change the medication into a different chemical compound and can take up to 3 years to leave your body. If you drink alcohol while taking this medication or within 2 months after stopping it, the risk of birth defects may last longer than 3 years.

What are the possible side effects?

Now let's see what side effects can occur when taking this medicine. Don't worry, not everyone will get these. But it's good to be aware of them.

Side effects that you should tell your doctor about immediately:

If something like this happens to you, see a doctor as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, and tongue.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Changes in vision.
• Dark-colored urine.
• Depression and/or aggressive feelings, thoughts of harming yourself or committing suicide.
• Frequent need to urinate, excessive thirst, or hunger.
• Pain in joints, muscles, or bones.
• Severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
• Swelling in a leg.
• Yellowing of the eyes or skin (Jaundice).

Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to your doctor if they persist:

These are usually not big problems, but if they persist or bother you, tell your doctor :

• Changes in taste.
• Difficulty falling asleep.
• Dry nose, mouth, and eyes.
• Hair loss.
• Excessive sweating.
• Itching and peeling of the skin on the fingers, palms, and soles of the feet.
• Hearing a ringing in the ears (`ringing in the ears`).
• A feeling of peeling skin all over the body.
• Weakening of nails.

This list may not include all side effects. If you have any concerns about any side effects, talk to your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA (1-800-FDA-1088).

How do you store the medicine?

Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature (15 to 25 degrees Celsius / 59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit) and protect from light. After opening the bottle, avoid exposure to excessive heat and moisture. Throw away expired medicine.

Finally, a few things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so we've talked a lot about Acitretin. Although this is a medication for severe psoriasis, you need to be very careful when using it.

Most importantly, if you are a woman, it is imperative that you avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medication and for 3 years after stopping. You must also use birth control correctly.

On the other hand, do not share this medicine with anyone. Do not donate blood during this period. You should also completely stop drinking alcohol.

This information sheet is only a summary. If you have any further questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. They will be able to help you further. Stay healthy!

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