acitretin-emollient no.26 Misc

This medication is a retinoid used in the treatment of severe psoriasis and other skin disorders in adults.

How to use acitretin-emollient no.26 Misc
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using acitretin and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Read and complete the Patient Agreement and Informed Consent document before taking this drug.
Take this medication by mouth exactly as prescribed, usually once a day with your main meal.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not take this more often or increase your dose without consulting your doctor. Your condition will not improve any faster but the risk of side effects may increase.
It may take 2 to 3 months before the full benefit of this medication is seen.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day.

You may experience more redness, itching, skin scaling, peeling and dry skin the first several weeks as your body adjusts to the medication. Dry eyes, eye irritation, crusting of the eye lids, increased sensitivity to sunlight, dry mouth, peeling of the skin of fingertips, palms or soles of feet, chapped lips, runny nose, thirst, taste changes and hair loss may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: decreased night vision, other vision changes, fever, chills.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: aches and pain in the bones or joints, difficulty moving.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: severe headache, nausea, vomiting, mood changes (e.g., depression, aggressive or violent behavior, and in rare cases thoughts of suicide), yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, stomach pain.
Contact lens wearers may be uncomfortable while taking this drug because it causes dry eyes.
A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking acitretin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other retinoids; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe liver disease, severe kidney disease.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, receive phototherapy.
Do not donate blood while taking this drug and for at least 3 years after stopping therapy. This will prevent the possibility of your blood being given to a pregnant woman.
This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths or sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
Acitretin may cause vision changes, including decreased night vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires clear vision (especially at night) until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication and for 2 months after stopping it.
This drug must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. This drug should not be used if you are planning to become pregnant during treatment or within 3 years after use has stopped.
Use 2 effective forms of birth control starting 1 month before and during treatment and at least 3 years after use has stopped. If you are unsure which types of birth control are effective, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or Medication Guide.
Semen may pose a risk to a pregnant woman if a male is using this drug. Consult your doctor.
It is not known if this drug is excreted into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using this medication and for at least three years after the medication has been stopped.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: methotrexate, St. John\'s wort, tetracycline antibiotics, vitamin A.
If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting acitretin.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: \"minipills\" (progestin-only contraceptive pills).
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include severe headache, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, irritability, loss of balance, and itching.

NOTES:
Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory tests (e.g., monthly pregnancy tests, liver function tests, X-rays, and lipid tests) will be done frequently while taking this medication to monitor the effects and prevent side effects. See your doctor regularly.

MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:
Store this medication at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from heat and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised May 2010. Copyright(c) 2010 First Databank, Inc.