Skin Health Psoriasis Treatment What to Know About Soriatane (Acitretin) This drug is used to treat severe psoriasis when other options fail. By Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD facebook linkedin Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD, is a freelance medical and health writer and published book author. Learn about our editorial process Ruth Jessen Hickman, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD on September 23, 2020 Casey Gallagher, MD, is board-certified in dermatology and works as a practicing dermatologist and clinical professor. Learn about our Medical Review Board Casey Gallagher, MD on September 23, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Uses How It Works Before Taking Dosage Side Effects Interactions Soriatane (acitretin) is an oral retinoid used to treat severe psoriasis in people who are resistant to other forms of treatment. It has been around since the 1980s and works by slowing cellular growth in a disease characterized by the hyperproduction of skin cells. Soriatane is associated with a wide range of side effects and is only used in people who have few treatment options. This is especially true for women in whom the drug may cause birth defects. Some of these harmful compounds may persist in the blood for up to three years. londoneye / istock Uses Soriatane is approved for use in adults with severe psoriasis, which is defined as having psoriasis on more than 30% of your body or large areas of your face, palms, or soles. Your case might also be considered serious if it significantly affects your quality of life and ability to function normally from day to day. The drug may be used in combination with ultraviolet (UV) light therapy or newer-generation biologic drugs such as Enbrel (etanercept) and Humira (adalimumab). Soriatane is sometimes used off-label to treat Darier's disease, palmoplantar pustulosis, lichen planus, and Sjögren-Larsson syndrome. How It Works Retinoids are chemically similar to vitamin A. Soriatane's exact mechanism of action is unknown, but it is believed that the drug works by binding to nuclear receptors within cells that regulate mitosis (cell division). Psoriasis is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes skin cells to replicate faster than they normally would. By tempering this process at the cellular level, Soriatane can effectively prevent or reverse symptoms of the disease. Soriatane is a second-generation retinoid developed from an earlier form of the drug known as etretinate. Etretinate has an extremely long drug half-life and can linger in the bloodstream for up to 120 days. This makes dosing difficult, since the doses have to be set very far apart to avoid toxic accumulation. As opposed to etretinate, which has a half-life of three years, Soriatane has a half-life of only two days. Unfortunately, Soriatane can be converted into etretinate during metabolism, setting the stage for many of the same side effects. Treating Psoriasis With Topical Retinoids Before Taking Soriatane is only used in people who have failed to find psoriasis relief with topical medications, methotrexate, cyclosporine, or other first- and second-line drugs. How Psoriasis Is Treated Contraindications Soriatane is classified as a Pregnancy Category X drug, meaning that the drug can cause fetal harm. With Soriatane specifically, there have been incidences of major birth defects, including bone and facial malformations, meningomyelocele (known as a "split spine"), and various heart and vascular defects. Among women of reproductive age, Soriatane would only be considered (if at all) if no other treatments are available and the benefits of therapy outweigh the potential risks. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a black box warning to advise consumers and health professionals about these dangers. Black box warnings are only issued when there is reasonable evidence of a serious hazard. If Soriatane is prescribed to women of reproductive age, contraception must be used and pregnancy tests performed every month. This must continue for three years after treatment is stopped due to the persistence of the drug in the blood. Breastfeeding should be avoided. Additionally, men who have taken Soriatane should not donate blood for three years to prevent blood transfusion to a woman of reproductive potential. Other contraindications for Soriatane use include: Severe liver or kidney impairment Retinoid hypersensitivity Methotrexate (which increases the risk of hepatitis) Tetracycline antibiotics (which can cause abnormal intracranial pressure) Soriatane should also be avoided in heavy drinkers and people with alcoholism. Dosage Soriatane is available as an oral capsule in 10-milligram (mg), 17.5-mg, and 25-mg strengths. It is generally prescribed in a once-daily dose of 25 mg to 50 mg. Soriatane does not cure psoriasis. While effective, it may take two to three months before you feel the complete benefits of treatment. During this time, you may experience a worsening of symptoms as your body adapts to the drug. This is normal and is not an indication that treatment is failing. If symptoms become intolerable, let your doctor know. Do not stop Soriatane without your doctor's consent. Doing so abruptly may cause a severe rebound of psoriasis symptoms. All listed dosages are according to the drug manufacturer. Check your prescription and talk to your doctor to make sure you are taking the right dose for you. How to Take It Take Soriatane with food for optimal absorption. If you miss a dose, do not double up doses to "catch up." Instead, take your next dose as prescribed and make every effort to adhere to treatment every day at the same time. Side Effects The side effects of Soriatane are significant. Pre-market research issued by the FDA reported that 98% of users reported an adverse reaction, with 22% withdrawing from treatment as a result of an intolerable side effect. Common The most common side effects (affecting at least 10% of users) include: Lip inflammation Hair loss Skin peeling Sneezing Runny nose Nasal congestion Dry skin Nail pitting, lifting, or discoloration Itchiness Sudden severe chills and shaking Eye dryness Dry mouth Nose bleeds Joint pain Spinal calcification Worsening of psoriatic lesions Rash Skin hypersensitivity Abnormal skin sensations Nail infections Skin thinning Sticky skin Severe Soriatane is also known to affect other organs besides the skin, including the heart, brain, liver, and circulatory system. This can result in less common but potentially more serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following: Depression Suicidal thoughts Confusion Difficulty speaking Ear ringing Extreme fatigue Yellowing of the eyes or skin Vomiting Blurred vision Chest pains Slowed or irregular heartbeat Increased thirst Difficulty moving any part of your body Loss of feeling in your hands or feet Swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles Redness or swelling of one leg only Symptoms like these could be a sign of drug hypersensitivity, liver toxicity, an acute cardiovascular event (including thromboembolism or capillary leak syndrome), or other serious concerns. While not common overall, these tend to be more so in people with pre-existing illnesses such as heart disease, liver disease, kidney failure, diabetes, or psychiatric disorders. Interactions Soriatane is known to interact with certain medications, typically increasing or decreasing the blood concentration of one or both drugs. These include: Dilantin (phenytoin), decreasing the concentration of the epilepsy drug Glynase (glyburide), increasing the potency of the diabetes drug Progestin-based contraception, reducing the efficacy of birth control Vitamin A, which can lead to vitamin A toxicity Alcohol (ethanol) also interacts with Soriatane and can promote its conversion to etretinate. This can be troubling during pregnancy as it further increases the risk of birth defects. What You Should Know About Methotrexate Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Pilkington T, Brogden RN. Acitretin: A Review of its Pharmacology and Therapeutic Use. Drugs. 1992 Apr;43(4):597-627. doi:10.2165/00003495-199243040-00010 Additional Reading Gaar, L.; Yentzer, B.; and Feldman, S. Acitretin in dermatology: A review. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010 Mar;62(3): AB134. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2009.11.516 Sarkar, R.; Chugh, S.; Garg, V. Acitretin in dermatology. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2013;79:759-71. doi:10.4103/0378-6323.120721 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Soriatane (acitretin) capsules. Silver Spring, Maryland; revised May 2014.