Acitretin

[Anita]

Anyone got views on acitretin

[SAUCY]

hi Anita  
welcome 2 the madhouse

i have been taking Acitretin for about 4 months now, started at a low dose 10 mg, but last 5/6 weeks on 20mg, and my p is now clearing  
Had a few side effects like the dry mouth nd lips and tiredness, and a bit of hairloss, but the benifits far outweigh the side effects

Are you considering using it ?

[Anita]

I am currently using dovabet and this as cleared it , but as you probably know it will return.  Dermo gave perscription for Acitretin, but not yet used.  Heard various comments on this, but like you say the side effects are not an issue if it clears.  

[SAUCY]

have you had all your blood work done ? and being a lady 2 the other issue .....

[Guy]

Hi Anita

I've been on a low dose (10mg) daily for the last 4 months too.  It certainly has kept the p a bay nicely..at least until last week when I had a nasty cold and the guttate p broke out...seems to be abating now.

The only side effect I've had is tiredness really...dry lip s a little .

Guy  ((:y

[Anita]

Had 1st bloods done, no results yet, re-visit dermo in 3 weeks 2nd bloods taken.  Not taken acitretin yet

[kaz]

Hi Anita

I started on 10mg acitretin 3 month ago, didn't do much. Been on 20mg for past 4 wks, p is nicely cleared.My side affects are dry eyes but using drops bought over the counter, itchy skin probably not drinking enough,dry inside nose and cracked lips but all bearable(except the itching)and worth while .

Normally I would be covering up at this time of year but it's brilliant to be able to wear skirts without thinking about it.First time in winter in 35 yrs.A new lease of life for me personally.

I have bloods done every 6wks, ok so far (touch wood).

[Gastronaut]

hi Anita,
             have used it for quite a few years now (and its previous version etretinate). There are side effects, been through most of them, but,  A VERY BIG BUT- it works; not it might or anything like that, it really works, can't love the stuff enough, the crappy side effects should not be allowed to put you off, the benefits outweigh anything else.  even the blood tests.
G@naut

[Rocket]

I am currently using dovabet and this as cleared it , but as you probably know it will return.  Dermo gave perscription for Acitretin, but not yet used.  Heard various comments on this, but like you say the side effects are not an issue if it clears.  

It is not these minor side effects which are the main concern with Acetretin. Make sure you are aware of the main dangers with it before you decide to proceed. If Dovobet has worked why proceed to Acitretin immediately, it is no more a permanent cure than Dovobet (there is no cure yet).

[lee]

Well said Daiv. The shift from Dovobet to Acitretin is a major one and one that shouldnt even be considered by a derm in my opinion until all other means have been tried and tested. In my case I had to make the decision after numerous amounts of UVB,  being Hospitalised with P and reccurant P. It was then they offered me Acitretin or MTX.

Why expose yourself to the potential side effects that are real!! When you could clear with a course of UVB or PUVA. Remeber that even to be considered for UVB you must be non responsive to topical treatments and have widespred P eg over 5 %. Seems a strange decision for your derm to jump from Dovobet staight to Acitretin without trying any of the  Phase 2 treatments.

Its best to be your own doctor sometimes. Get a good book on P and all its treatments and go into the derm rooms armed with as much info as possible, so that you and him both agree that it is the right decision.