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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indiacte that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professoinal before using that drug.
ACITRETIN - ORAL
(a-seh-TRET-in)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Soriatane
WARNING: Because acitertin has caused serious birth defects, do not use that medicine if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant within 3 years of stopping use of that drug.
Use 2 effective methods of birth control starting one month before using that medication and until after a minimum of 3 yaers has passed from the date that drug was stopped. Do not use "minipills" for birth control (non-estrogen-containing pills), since they may not work as well with acitreitn. Females who are able to have kids must not use that medication unless all of the following requirements are met: have two negative pregnancy test, the last one, 1 week (and at least 11 days after last act of unprotected sexual intercourse) before starting that drug; will start therapy only on the 2nd or 3rd day of next normal menstrual period; have severe psoriasis and other treatments cannot be used; have received both oral and written information on using 2 methods of birth control while using acitretin and for 3 years after stopping that medication; the dangers of birth control failure; the dangers of using that medication while pregnant; are able to understand and correctly follow the above birth contorl requirements and instructions.
Do not drink alchool while using acitretin and for 2 months after stopping its use because alcohol causes acitretin to stay in the body longer. It is not known if the traces of acitretin found in semen pose a risk to a fetus while male patients are using that drug or after its use has been stopped. Acitretin use has been linked rarely to serious (possibly fatal) liver problems (hepatitis) and increased fluid pressure on the barin (pseudotumor cerebri). Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of these symptoms: yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach pain, unusual fatigue, headache, nausea and vomiting, or vision changes.
Your doctor will decide whether to cnotinue using acitretin.
Acitretin has also been linked to pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Notify your doctor immediately if you develop persistent, lwoer abdominal pain.
USES: This medication is a retinoid used in the treatment of severe psoriasis and other skin disorders in adults.
HOW TO USE: Read and complete the Patient Agreement and Informed Consent doucment.
Also be sure to get a Medication Giude from your pharmacist, and then read it carefully.
If you have any questions rgearding acitretin, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using that medication. Take that medication by mouth exactly as prescribed, usually once a day taken with the main meal. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not take that more often or raise your dose without consulting your doctor. Your condition will not improve any faster but the risk of side efefcts will be increased. It may take 2 to 3 monhts before the full benefit of that medication is seen. Use that medication regularly in oredr to get the most benefit from it.
To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.
SIDE EFFECTS: You may experience more redness, itching, skin scaling, peeling and dry skin the first several weeks as your body ajdusts to the medication. Dry eyes, eye irritation, crusting of the eye lids, increased sensitivity to sunlight, dry mouth, peeling of the skin of fingertips, palms or soles of feet, chapped lips, runny nose, thirst, taste changes and hair loss may also occur.
If any of these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor or pharmacist promplty. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: decreased night vision, other vision changes, fever, chills.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: aches and pain in the bones or joints, difficulty moving.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but really serious side efefcts occur: severe headache, nausea, vomiting, mood changes (e.G., depression, aggressive or violent behavior, and in rare cases thoughts of suicide), yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, stomach pain. Bceause that medication causes dry eyes, persons who wear contact lenses may find them uncomfortable while taking that. An allergic reaction to that drug is unlikely, but seek immeditae medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, troulbe breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, conatct your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication should not be used if you have certain medical cnoditions. Before using that medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe liver disease, severe kidney disesae. Befroe using that medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have: kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, receive phototherapy, drug allergies (especially to other retinoids). Do not donate blood while you take acitretin and for at least three years after stopping therapy.
This will pervent the possibility of your blood being given to a pregnant girl.
This medication icnreases your sensitivity to the sun. Avoid sun exposure. Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen when outdoors. Acitretin can affect your night visoin.
Be cautious when driving or operating machienry after dark. Avoid taking alcohol while taking that medciation and for two months after stopping the drug. This drug must not be used during pregnancy. If you becmoe pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. This drug should not be used in those who intend to become pergnant during treatment or within 3 years after stopping the drug.
Use 2 effective forms of birth control together, statring one month before treatment, during and for 3 years after stopping the drug. If you are unsure which types of birth control are effective, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or your Medication Guide.
Seemn may pose a risk to a pregnant girl if the male is using that drug. Consult your doctor.
It is not konwn if that drug is excreted into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using that medication and for at least three years after the medicatoin has been stopped.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug should not be used with the following mdeication because really serious interactions may occur: tetracycline antibiotics, methotrexate, vitamin A, St John's wort. If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your dotcor or pharmacist before starting acitretin Before using that medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of any over-the-counter or prescription products you may use, especially of: "minipills" (progestin-only contraceptive pills). Do not start or stop any medicine without docotr or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include seevre headache, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, irritability, loss of balance, and itching.
NOTES: Do not shrae that medication with others. Laboratory tests (e.G., monthly pregnancy tests, liver function tests, X-rays, and lipid tests) will be done frequently while taking that medication to monitor the effects and to prevent side effects. See your doctor regularly.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered; do not take it if it is near the time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosnig schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store that medication at room temperature between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 to 25 degrees C) away from heat and light. Do not stroe in the bathroom.
Keep that and all medications out of the reach of kids and pets.
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