Asset 25mg Capsules

Acitretin is a retinoid, a medicine related to vitamin A. It is used to treat severe psoriasis.

It controls psoriasis but does not cure it. It may take 2 to 3 months or longer before you see the full benefit, and your skin may look worse at first.

Take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, usually once a day.

• Take the capsule with your main meal.
• Keep taking it even if you feel well. Do not change the dose without your doctor's advice.
• If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next one as normal. Never take two doses together.
• Do not share it with anyone else.

Common side effects include:

• dry, peeling or itchy skin, and chapped lips
• brittle nails and hair loss
• dry eyes, dry nose or nosebleeds
• joint pain
• changes in taste

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• feeling sick, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right tummy, yellow skin or eyes, or dark pee (possible liver damage)
• changes in your vision, or headache with blurred vision
• low mood or thoughts of harming yourself
• a severe rash, or chest pain or an irregular heartbeat
• tingling, numbness or weakness

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have liver or kidney disease
• have diabetes, high cholesterol or triglycerides, heart disease or depression
• take methotrexate, tetracycline antibiotics, vitamin A supplements, other retinoids, phenytoin, glyburide or St John's wort

Your doctor will arrange regular blood tests. Limit sun exposure, use sunscreen and avoid sunlamps. Take care driving at night, as your night vision may be affected. Your eyes may become dry, which can make contact lenses uncomfortable.

Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture, in the original container and out of the reach of children.

Pregnancy: acitretin can cause serious birth defects. Women must not take it if pregnant or planning pregnancy in the next 3 years. Pregnancy tests and two reliable forms of contraception are needed before, during and for 3 years after treatment. Progestin-only "mini-pills" are not suitable. Do not breastfeed.

Alcohol: women must avoid all alcohol, including in food and medicines, during treatment and for 2 months after, because it can turn acitretin into a substance that stays in the body much longer.

Blood donation: do not give blood during treatment or for 3 years afterwards.