Type of medicine: retinoid
Generic and brand names: acitretin, oral; Soriatane
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat severe psoriasis (scaly patches on the skin that may include pus).
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Do not take this medicine if you are also taking methotrexate or antibiotics such as demeclocycline, doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Monodox, Vibramycin), minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin), or tetracycline,
Males and females: This medicine may cause birth defects while you are taking it and for 3 years after you stop taking it. Discuss birth control methods with your healthcare provider before you start taking this medicine.
Females of childbearing age: DO NOT take this medicine if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the next 3 years. This medicine has been reported to cause serious birth defects. Read the information that comes in the medicine package. You must meet certain conditions and sign a consent form. Do not start this medicine until you have had 2 negative pregnancy tests. Then start taking this medicine during the menstrual period following the negative pregnancy tests. A pregnancy test must be repeated each month before you are issued a new prescription for more medicine. You must use 2 reliable birth control methods for at least 1 month before you start taking this medicine, while you are taking this medicine and for 3 years after you stop taking it. For at least 3 years after you stop taking this medicine, a pregnancy test must be repeated every 3 months. Females must avoid drinks, foods, and all medicines that contain alcohol while taking this medicine and for 2 months after you stop taking it. This includes over-the-counter products that contain alcohol. The chance of birth defects may last longer than 3 years if you swallow any form of alcohol during treatment with this medicine and for 2 months after you stop taking it. Do not breast feed while you are taking this medicine.
Read the Medication Guide in the medicine package each time you fill your prescription. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Taking too much of it or too often may increase the risk of side effects.
Take this medicine with a meal and a full glass of water. Do not crush or chew the capsules. Swallow them whole.
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting.
This medicine may cause serious liver problems. Call your healthcare provider if you experience usual tiredness, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Contact your provider right away if you or your family notice any disturbing changes in your thoughts or behavior while taking this medicine or soon after stopping it, such as:
Do not take vitamin A while you are taking this medicine. You may get too much vitamin A in your body.
Do not donate blood while you are taking this medicine and for 3Â years after you stop.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Continued treatment with this medicine may affect the liver, increase cholesterol, or may affect bone density. Your healthcare provider may order tests to determine if this medicine is affecting your bones. Keep all appointments for tests.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and may cause you to sunburn more easily. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. While you are in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen lotion until you know how you will react to the sun. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.
If you develop hives, an itchy rash, or peeling skin, stop taking the medicine and contact your provider right away.
Your psoriasis may get worse when you first start taking this medicine. You may not see the benefits of this medicine until you have been taking it for 2 to 3 months.
You may have dry eyes, mouth, nose, and skin while you are taking this medicine. If any of these reactions becomes a problem, contact your healthcare provider. Using Vaseline for your lips, creams or ointments for your skin, and artificial tears for your eyes may help.
This medicine may cause vision changes. Do not drive unless you can see clearly, especially at night.
Contact lenses may be uncomfortable while you are taking this medicine, and sometimes after treatment is stopped. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report this to your healthcare provider right away): Yellowing of your eyes or skin; severe tiredness or weakness; loss of appetite; vomiting; dark urine; pale stools; severe headache; problems with speech or balance; nausea; changes in your vision; eye pain or irritation; abdominal pain; rectal bleeding; severe diarrhea; depression; thoughts of suicide; unusual thoughts or behavior; tingling or numbness of the hands or feet, chest pain, swelling or warmth in the lower leg; trouble breathing; frequent urination, increased thirst; unexplained muscle, pain, or back pain.
Other: Loss of hair, skin peeling, dry skin, itching, rash, runny nose, dry mouth, dry eyes, nosebleeds, bleeding of the gums, change in sense of taste, increased sweating, trouble sleeping, earache, ringing in the ears, weak nails, chapped lips.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Females: Avoid drinks, food, and all medicines that contain alcohol while taking this medicine and for at least 2 months after stopping treatment. This includes over-the-counter products that contain alcohol.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
