Duration of Cure
Acitretin
Most patients see an improvement in their skin condition within about two weeks of starting treatment. Continued improvement can be expected up to twelve weeks of treatment. The improvement should be maintained as long as acitretin is taken.
How should I take acitretin?
Acitretin is typically taken once daily after a meal. Taking the drug on an empty stomach reduces its absorption and effectiveness.
What dosage of acitretin should I take?
The standard dosage depends on your body weight and the skin condition being treated. For psoriasis, the usual dosage is 0.5-1 mg/kg/day, with a maximum of 75 mg daily. Lower doses may be prescribed for other skin conditions or if side effects are troublesome.
Acitretin comes in 10 mg and 25 mg capsules that cannot be split, so your actual dose may need to be adjusted.
Is acitretin suitable for all patients?
Acitretin, like other oral retinoid drugs, is teratogenic, meaning it can cause serious harm to an unborn baby and birth defects. It remains in the body for a long time after treatment. Women should wait at least 3 years after taking acitretin before attempting pregnancy. For this reason, it is rarely given to women of childbearing age.
There is no known increased risk of birth defects in children of men taking acitretin since sperm is not affected. Donating blood is also restricted for at least 3 years after stopping treatment to avoid potential harm to a developing baby if the blood is given to a pregnant woman.
Acitretin can worsen diabetes, elevate blood lipids, and cause liver inflammation. Inform your doctor if you have these conditions before starting treatment.
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