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Acitretin in dermatology: a review
Lauren K Dunn1, Laini R Gaar, Brad A Yentzer
1Center for Dermatology Research, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1071, USA.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : JDD
|July 2, 2011
Summary
Acitretin is an effective systemic retinoid for treating severe psoriasis and other skin conditions. Combining acitretin with ultraviolet (UV) phototherapy offers a safe and cost-effective treatment strategy.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Acitretin is a systemic retinoid medication.
- It is prescribed for severe psoriasis and other challenging dermatoses.
- This review covers approved and off-label uses, adverse events, and monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the efficacy and safety of acitretin.
- To examine its use in various dermatological conditions.
- To discuss adverse events and management strategies.
Main Methods:
- A literature search was performed on PubMed using the term "acitretin."
- Results were filtered for English-language clinical trials in humans.
- 60 relevant articles were included in the review.
Main Results:
- Acitretin demonstrates efficacy in monotherapy and combination regimens for psoriasis and hyperkeratotic disorders.
- It is also used for malignancy chemoprevention.
- Adverse effects include teratogenicity, mucocutaneous issues, and hepatotoxicity, manageable with dose reduction or combination therapy.
Conclusions:
- Acitretin is a valuable treatment for psoriasis, especially when combined with UV phototherapy.
- This combination therapy is safe and cost-effective.
- Further research is needed for its use in other cutaneous disorders.
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