It is important that your family doctor check your progress at regular appointments while you are taking this drug If your condition has improved and you are no longer taking acitretin, your progress must still be checked . This is especially important for children or elderly diseaseds, who may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, and for women who want to become pregnant after they stop taking the drug.
Your skin condition may improve or get worse during the first 3 weeks of treat and you also may notice some skin irritation from the drug. With continued use, the expected skin irritation will lessen after a few weeks. Check with your health care professional any time skin irritation becomes severe or if your skin condition does not improve within 8 to 12 weeks .
Do not drink alcohol while taking this drug or for at least 2 months after discontinuing treat .
Do not donate blood during treat with acitretin, for 2 or 3 years following treat, or as otherwise directed by your family doctor . Although problems resulting from a blood transfusion are not likely, this precaution prevents the possibility that your blood would be using in pregnant women.
Acitretin can cause dryness of the eyes, blur your vision, or cause other vision problems. Be aware that while using acitretin you may see a sudden decrease in your night vision - ability to see before the sun rises or after the sun goes down. Always acitretin may cause your eyes to be more sensitive to light, including sunlight, than they are normally These effects can make certain activities dangerous, such as driving or operating machines .
Check with your family doctor if you experience any vision or eye problem . Wearing contact lenses may become uncomfortable. Your family doctor may suggest using artificial tears to keep your eyes from getting too dry.
Acitretin may cause dryness of the mouth, nose and throat. For temporary relief of mouth dryness, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your family doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the risk of developing dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease and fungus infections.
Avoid overexposing your skin to wind, cold weather and sunlight, even on cloudy days. Your skin will be more prone to sunburn, dryness, or irritation, especially during the first 2 or 3 weeks. However, you must not stop taking this drug, unless the skin irritation becomes too severe. For best results:
Unless your family doctor tells you otherwise, it is especially important to avoid using the following skin products:
Do not take doses of vitamin A or any vitamin supplement containing vitamin A that exceeds the minimum recommended allowance - RDA while you are taking this drug. To do so may increase the risk of developing side effects.