Table 21.

Tabular summary

Acitretin
First approved in Germany	1992 (Psoriasis vulgaris)
Recommended control parameters	Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), complete blood count, liver values, renal values, blood lipid values, pregnancy test, x-ray control of the bones in case of long-term therapy
Recommended initial dosage	0.3–0.5 mg/kg BW per day for approximately 4 weeks, then 0.5–0.8 mg/kg BW
Recommended maintenance dosage	Individual dosaging dependent on the results and tolerance
Expected beginning of clinical effect	After 4–8 weeks
Response rate	Widely variable and dose-dependent, no definite statement possible, partial remission (PASI 75) in 25–75% of the patients (30–40 mg per day) (LE 3) in studies
Important contraindications (limited selection)	Renal and liver damage, desire to have children in female patients of child-bearing age, pregnancy, nursing, alcohol abuse, manifest diabetes mellitus, wearing of contact lenses, history of pancreatitis, hyperlipidemia requiring drug treatment
Important ADRs (limited selection)	Hypervitaminosis A (e.g., cheilitis, xerosis, nose-bleeding, alopecia, increased skin fragility)
Important drug interactions (limited selection)	Phenytoin, tetracyclines, methotrexate, alcohol, mini-pill
Other	Contraception up to 2 years after discontinuation in female patients of child-bearing age