Acitretin

Acitretin
Clinical data
Trade names	Soriatane, Neotigason
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a601010
Pregnancy; category	AU: X (High risk);
Routes of; administration	By mouth
ATC code	D05BB02 (WHO) ;
Legal status
Legal status	AU: S4 (Prescription only); BR: Class C2 (Retinoids); CA: ℞-only; UK: POM (Prescription only); US: ℞-only;
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	60%
Protein binding	>99.9%
Metabolism	Liver
Elimination half-life	49 hours
Excretion	Faeces & urine
Identifiers
	IUPAC name (2E,4E,6E,8E)-9-(4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylphenyl)-3,7-dimethylnona-2,4,6,8-tetraenoic acid;
CAS Number	55079-83-9 ;
PubChem CID	5284513;
IUPHAR/BPS	7598;
DrugBank	DB00459 ;
ChemSpider	4447573 ;
UNII	LCH760E9T7;
KEGG	D02754 ;
ChEBI	CHEBI:50173 ;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1131 ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID6022553 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.054.050
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C21H26O3
Molar mass	326.436 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
	SMILES O=C(O)\C=C(\C=C\C=C(\C=C\c1c(cc(OC)c(c1C)C)C)C)C;
	InChI InChI=1S/C21H26O3/c1-14(8-7-9-15(2)12-21(22)23)10-11-19-16(3)13-20(24-6)18(5)17(19)4/h7-13H,1-6H3,(H,22,23)/b9-7+,11-10+,14-8+,15-12+ ; Key:IHUNBGSDBOWDMA-AQFIFDHZSA-N ;
	(verify)

Acitretin, sold under the brand names Neotigason^[1] and Soriatane,^[4] is a second-generation retinoid. It is taken orally, and is typically used for psoriasis.^[5] It was approved for medical use in the United States in 1996.^[6]

Acitretin is an oral retinoid used in the treatment of severe resistant psoriasis. Because of the potential for problems and severe side effects it is generally used in only very severe cases of psoriasis that have been unresponsive to other treatments. It binds to nuclear receptors that regulates gene transcription. They induce keratinocyte differentiation and reduce epidermal hyperplasia, leading to the slowing of cell reproduction. Acitretin is readily absorbed and widely distributed after oral administration. A therapeutic effect occurs after two to four weeks or longer.

Patients who have received the medication are advised against giving blood for at least three years due to the risk of birth defects.^[7]

^ ^a ^b NEOTIGASON acitretin 10mg capsule blister pack (52455) Australian Department of Health and Aged Care
^ Anvisa (31 March 2023). "RDC Nº 784 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial" [Collegiate Board Resolution No. 784 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Oficial da União (published 4 April 2023). Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
^ "Soriatane (acitretin) Capsules". dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Zito PM, Mazzoni T (January 2021). "Acitretin". StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 30137855.
^ "LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury Acitretin". National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
^ AABB Technical Manual, American Association of Blood Banks

[AU_Neotigason-1] NEOTIGASON acitretin 10mg capsule blister pack (52455) Australian Department of Health and Aged Care

[2] Anvisa (31 March 2023). "RDC Nº 784 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial" [Collegiate Board Resolution No. 784 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Oficial da União (published 4 April 2023). Archived from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.

[Soriatane_FDA_label-3] "Soriatane (acitretin) Capsules". dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 30 December 2023.

[:0-4] Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[Zito_2021-5] Zito PM, Mazzoni T (January 2021). "Acitretin". StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 30137855.

[LiverTox_2020-6] "LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury Acitretin". National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2025.

[7] AABB Technical Manual, American Association of Blood Banks

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