Acitretin
Acitretin is an oral retinoid used by specialists for severe psoriasis and selected disorders of skin-cell development. It is highly teratogenic and has long-lasting pregnancy restrictions.
Key points
- Acitretin can cause severe fetal harm; product-specific pregnancy-prevention and blood-donation rules extend long after treatment ends.
- Alcohol can prolong teratogenic risk by contributing to formation of a longer-lasting retinoid.
- Severe headache with visual change, jaundice or a serious skin reaction needs urgent care.
Listings are for comparison and general information; suitability and supply depend on specialist and pharmacy checks, pregnancy safeguards, monitoring and prescription requirements.
Important safety checks
Pregnancy potential, liver function, blood lipids, alcohol use, mental-health symptoms and interacting retinoids or tetracyclines require review. Dry skin, lips and eyes are common, while blood tests monitor systemic effects.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent help for possible pregnancy, severe headache with vomiting or vision change, jaundice, marked mood changes, breathing difficulty or a spreading blistering rash.