Acitretin is an oral retinoid doctors prescribe mainly for severe psoriasis and other stubborn keratinization disorders. It helps slow skin cell growth and reduce scales and plaques. This medicine isn't for mild skin problems — it's used when topical creams and light therapy don't help enough.
Typical doses are 25–50 mg once daily, but some people use lower or higher amounts based on weight and response. Take it with food — a fatty meal improves absorption. Expect slow changes: skin often improves after several weeks, and full benefit can take months. Stick with follow-up visits so your prescriber can adjust the dose if needed.
Before starting, your doctor will usually order baseline blood tests: liver enzymes, lipid panel, and sometimes a pregnancy test for people who can get pregnant. Those tests are repeated during treatment, often every month at first. If liver tests or triglycerides go too high, your doctor may lower the dose or stop the drug.
The most common side effects are dry skin, chapped lips, dry eyes, nosebleeds, and hair thinning. Many of these are manageable with moisturizers, lip balm, and eye drops. Less common but serious effects include raised liver enzymes and very high triglycerides, so lab monitoring matters.
Acitretin is strongly teratogenic — it can cause severe birth defects. People who can become pregnant must avoid pregnancy during treatment and for an extended time after stopping the drug. Alcohol can form a long‑lasting metabolite that lengthens how long the drug stays in the body, so avoid alcohol while taking acitretin and discuss timing with your doctor if you plan pregnancy in the future.
Other interactions: avoid taking acitretin with vitamin A supplements or other retinoids. Tell your doctor about all medicines, including herbal products. If you notice mood changes or persistent new symptoms, report them right away.
Blood donation: do not donate blood while you're on acitretin and follow your clinic's advice about how long to wait after stopping. That helps prevent exposing a pregnant transfusion recipient to the drug.
Long-term use can affect bones and joints in some people. If you have long-term treatment, your doctor may check bone health and consider treatment breaks when possible.
Want to use acitretin safely? Always follow your prescriber's plan, get the recommended lab checks, avoid alcohol, and use reliable contraception if pregnancy is possible. If you have questions about side effects or how long to wait after stopping before trying to conceive, ask your dermatologist or pharmacist — they can give the exact timing for your situation.
In my recent research, I came across Acitretin, a medication primarily used for treating severe psoriasis. Interestingly, there have been claims that it could potentially help with weight loss. Although studies are limited, some people have reported shedding extra pounds while on this medication. However, the weight loss might be due to its side effects, such as nausea and loss of appetite. As always, it's essential to consult a doctor before using any medication for purposes other than its intended use.
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