Acitretin
Encyclopedia
Acitretin is a second generation retinoid
. It is taken orally, and is typically used for psoriasis
.
It is a metabolite of etretinate
, which was used prior to the introduction of acitretin. Etretinate was discontinued because it had a narrow therapeutic index
as well as a long elimination half-life (t1/2=120 days), making dosing difficult. In contrast, acitretin's half-life is approximately 2 days.
Because acitretin can be reverse metabolised into etretinate
which has a long half-life, women must avoid becoming pregnant for at least 3 years (http://www.soriatane.com/patient/part.aspx) after discontinuing acitretin. Therefore, acitretin is generally not recommended for women of child bearing age with a risk of becoming pregnant.
Acitretin is the oral retinoid of choice used in the treatment of severe resistant psoriasis. It binds to nuclear receptors that regulates gene transcription. They induce keratinocyte differentiation and reduce epidermal hyperplasia, leading to the slowing of cell reproduction. Acitretin is readily absorbed and widely distributed after oral administration. A therapeutic effect occurs after 2 to 4 weeks or longer.
If a patient has received the medication, he/she is advised against giving blood for at least 3 years due to the risk of birth defects(AABB Technical Manual).
Retinoid
The retinoids are a class of chemical compounds that are related chemically to vitamin A. Retinoids are used in medicine, primarily due to the way they regulate epithelial cell growth....
. It is taken orally, and is typically used for psoriasis
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. However, psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of...
.
It is a metabolite of etretinate
Etretinate
Etretinate is a medication developed by Hoffmann–La Roche that was approved by the FDA in 1986 to treat severe psoriasis...
, which was used prior to the introduction of acitretin. Etretinate was discontinued because it had a narrow therapeutic index
Therapeutic index
The therapeutic index is a comparison of the amount of a therapeutic agent that causes the therapeutic effect to the amount that causes death or toxicity ....
as well as a long elimination half-life (t1/2=120 days), making dosing difficult. In contrast, acitretin's half-life is approximately 2 days.
Because acitretin can be reverse metabolised into etretinate
Etretinate
Etretinate is a medication developed by Hoffmann–La Roche that was approved by the FDA in 1986 to treat severe psoriasis...
which has a long half-life, women must avoid becoming pregnant for at least 3 years (http://www.soriatane.com/patient/part.aspx) after discontinuing acitretin. Therefore, acitretin is generally not recommended for women of child bearing age with a risk of becoming pregnant.
Acitretin is the oral retinoid of choice used in the treatment of severe resistant psoriasis. It binds to nuclear receptors that regulates gene transcription. They induce keratinocyte differentiation and reduce epidermal hyperplasia, leading to the slowing of cell reproduction. Acitretin is readily absorbed and widely distributed after oral administration. A therapeutic effect occurs after 2 to 4 weeks or longer.
If a patient has received the medication, he/she is advised against giving blood for at least 3 years due to the risk of birth defects(AABB Technical Manual).