When your skin won’t respond to creams or light therapy, doctors sometimes turn to acitretin, a synthetic retinoid derived from vitamin A, used to treat severe plaque psoriasis and other stubborn skin disorders. Also known as Soriatane, it’s not a quick fix—it’s a systemic treatment that works from the inside out by slowing down skin cell growth and reducing inflammation. Unlike topical treatments, acitretin affects your whole body, which means it can help when patches cover large areas or when other options have failed.
Acitretin is part of a family called systemic retinoids, oral medications that target the skin’s growth cycle at a cellular level. It’s often prescribed for psoriasis that doesn’t improve with methotrexate or biologics, and sometimes used for pustular or erythrodermic forms of the disease. But it’s not for everyone. Because it can cause serious side effects—like dry skin, cracked lips, elevated liver enzymes, or increased cholesterol—it’s usually reserved for adults with moderate to severe cases. Women must avoid pregnancy for at least three years after stopping acitretin, as it can cause severe birth defects.
People using acitretin often need regular blood tests to monitor liver function and lipid levels. It also interacts with other drugs, like methotrexate, a common immune-suppressing drug used for autoimmune skin conditions, which can increase the risk of liver damage if taken together. Even something as simple as alcohol can turn acitretin into a more dangerous compound in your body, so it’s strictly avoided during treatment.
You’ll find stories in the posts below about how acitretin changed lives—some for the better, others with tough trade-offs. One person cleared 80% of their psoriasis after six months; another had to stop because their cholesterol spiked. Some combined it with light therapy and saw faster results. Others struggled with the dryness, the fatigue, or the emotional toll of long-term use. These aren’t abstract cases—they’re real people navigating the same choices you might be facing.
What you’ll see here isn’t just a list of articles. It’s a collection of practical insights—from how to manage side effects to what alternatives exist when acitretin doesn’t work or isn’t safe. Whether you’re considering it, currently taking it, or just trying to understand why your doctor recommended it, this is the kind of grounded, no-fluff info you won’t find on a drug label.
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