Soriatane (generic name: acitretin) is prescribed to treat skin disorders such as severe psoriasis. Acitretin is a retinoid, which is a manmade derivative of vitamin A. Acitretin is the only oral retinoid approved by the FDA specifically for treating adult psoriasis. Soriatane speeds up the rate at which new cells are created in the skin. A skin specialist (dermatologist) will usually prescribe treating severe psoriasis with Soriatane when other treatments are ineffective. Caution Taking acitretin when pregnant represents a risk to the unborn baby. Doctors will normally not prescribe Soriatane to fertile women unless they are shown to not already be pregnant and will go on to adequate contraception. Dosage Only take Soriatane as directed by the prescribing doctor. The course of treatment normally takes from two to four weeks. Depending on how the skin responds, the dose of the medicine may then be changed by the doctor. The full benefit of this treatment should be seen after a further six to eight weeks.
Brand Manufacturer: Actavis
Side Effects: This text is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication. Neotigason has been reported to cause some side effects that show up before any improvement is seen in the skin. These include: Hair loss Bleeding gums Dry eyes Dry mouth Dry or runny nose, nosebleeds Abnormal sensation of burning or stinging Itching Sticky skinTight muscles Weak nailsBack or joint pain Difficulty in wearing contact lenses Diarrhea Itchy or scaly skin Sleeplessness Slow speech An abnormal sensation of the skin with no visible cause Balance disorder Unusual thirst These should clear up after a few days. If they persist or worsen, talk to a healthcare provider or pharmacist. There are some rare but serious side effects that require immediate medical attention: A severe reaction with rash, itching, redness, and shedding of the skin (exfoliative dermatitis), possibly accompanied by fever; swelling of the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, and throat; shortness of breath; and feeling of suffocation in the throat Inflammation of the liver: weakness, fatigue, lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting, severe abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice in the skin or the white part of the eyes Severe headaches, nausea or vomiting, or problems with vision Mood and behavior changes, feelings of depression or elation. Go immediately to a doctor or emergency room and take with you the medication.
Indication: Psoriasis is a skin disorder in which skin cells multiply faster than normal. This results in the build-up of bumpy patches, which may appear red with white scales on lighter skin, or brown, violet, or purple with gray scales on darker skin. The scales and patches can grow anywhere but most often appear on the scalp, knees, elbows, and lower back. Toenails may change color, crumble or come loose from the nail bed or develop small pits. Psoriasis is not infectious but does appear to have some degree of inheritability.
