acitretin

Acitretin is an oral retinoid (vitamin A derivative) used primarily to treat severe forms of psoriasis and other disorders of keratinization in adults who have not responded to standard treatments. It works by normalizing the growth and differentiation of skin cells, thereby reducing the abnormal proliferation seen in conditions like psoriasis. Acitretin is a metabolite of etretinate and is considered more manageable due to its shorter half-life. The exact mechanism by which it improves skin disorders is not fully understood but involves modulation of gene expression through retinoic acid receptors, leading to decreased epidermal cell proliferation and inflammation. Acitretin carries significant teratogenic risk; strict pregnancy prevention measures are required during treatment and for at least 2–3 years after discontinuation due to its long elimination time[1][2][5][7].

Brand names

SoriataneNeotigasonNovatretin

Other names

阿维Aacitretina (Spanish)acitretyna (Polish)