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General Information On Soriatane

Soriatane is an oral drug, which is used for treatment of severe psoriasis in adults. The generic name of the drug is Acitretin. It belongs to a category of drugs known as second-generation retinoids, which are a type of Vitamin A. Soriatane is usually prescribed to the patients who have 10% or more of their body affected by psoriasis. Please note that this drug does not cure psoriasis, but it is used for effective treatment of severe psoriasis.

Side Effects for Soriatane

Common side effects of Soriatane include headache, pain in the eyes, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, runny nose, muscle tightness, and a sudden decrease in night vision. In some cases, you may also experience depression, aggression, and suicidal thoughts. Confusion, problems with balance, as well as speech, numbness or weakness, especially concentrated on one side of the body, are again common side effects of this drug.

Jaundice, bleeding gums, mouth sores, loss of sensation in the hands and legs, back pain, as well as pain in the muscles, joints and bones, along with trouble moving, increase in sugar levels, increased thirst and urination, hunger, dry mouth, drowsiness, dry skin, weight loss, blurred vision, and a ‘fruity’ breath are some other common side effects of Acitretin. Chest pain which spreads to the shoulder and arm, sweating, and shortness of breath are other adverse effects of this drug.

Some people also experience sudden coughing and wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate along with pain, swelling, redness and ‘heat’ in either one or both legs. Hair loss and peeling and itching of the skin is also common, with both, the skin and nails becoming extremely fragile when the body reacts adversely to Soriatane.

Precautions

Any fetus exposed to Soriatane is adversely affected by the medication and may develop serious abnormalities. Thus, it is important to avoid prescribing this medication to a pregnant woman unless she has a severe case of psoriasis which cannot be treated by other methods. Moreover, in cases where there is no other choice but to prescribe Soriatane, there are several precautions that should be taken to avoid fetal exposure to the medicine.

Women who can get pregnant should use two reliable birth control methods before, during and after the treatment. It is important that the woman does not get pregnant, nor does she attempt to get pregnant for at least 3 years after treatment. Additionally, such women should conduct pregnancy tests every month during treatment to ensure that there is no unexpected pregnancy. Men using this medicine should use latex condoms to prevent the medicine remnants from entering the uterus of the woman through their sperm.

If you are undergoing Soriatane treatment, it is important not to donate blood during treatment, as well as for three years upon completion of the treatment.

You should not buy Soriatane if you are allergic to Acitretin or similar medicines or suffer from severe kidney or liver disease. Similarly, avoid Soriatane if you are pregnant or have high levels of triglycerides in your blood.

Soriatane Dosage

Soriatane 10mg and Soriatane 25mg are the strengths of Soriatane available in the market, and the recommended dosage is anywhere between 25mg and 50mg per day. Soriatane 10mg can be given with meals as a single dose.

Interactions

While on Soriatane treatment, it is important to tell your doctor if you are on birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and use Phenytoin or St. John's Wort.