Acitretin (Systemic)

Brand Names : Soriatane, 13-cis acitretin, etretin, isoetretin

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Headache (severe and continuing); nausea or vomiting (severe and continuing)

Less common

Blurred vision; eye pain

Rare

Abdominal or stomach pain; double vision or other problems in seeing, including decreased night vision after sunset and before sunrise; darkened urine; yellowing of the skin or eyes

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Back pain; bone or joint pain; difficulty in moving or walking; headache; stiff, painful muscles

Less common

Eye problems, such as loss of eyebrows or eyelashes, redness or swelling of the eyelid, redness of the eyes, sensitivity of eyes to light, or watery eyes; loosening of the fingernails; redness or soreness around fingernails

Rare

Coughing, hoarseness, trouble in speaking, or influenza-like symptoms; itchy or painful ears; skin problems, such as abnormal sensation of burning or stinging of skin, cracking of skin, redness of skin, skin irritation or rash (including a rash that looks like psoriasis), skin infection, skin ulcers, skin odor (unusual), or small red spots in skin; sore on the edge of the eyelid (stye); thick, white, curd-like vaginal discharge; vaginal itching or irritation

Symptoms of overdose

Drowsiness; headache (severe and continuing); irritability; itchy skin; nausea or vomiting (severe and continuing)

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Chapped, red, or swollen lips; difficulty in wearing contact lenses; dryness of eyes; dry or runny nose; increased ability to sunburn; increased amount of ear wax (unusual); itchy skin; nosebleeds; irritation in mouth or swollen gums; loss of hair (usually reversible); scaling and peeling of eyelids, fingertips, palms, and soles of feet; sticky skin; unusual thirst

Less common

Constipation; diarrhea; fatigue; increased sweating

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.