Drug Interaction
When you are taking acitretin, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
Alcoholic beverages-Drinking alcohol may convert acitretin to a much longer-acting product that can stay in the body 60 times longer than acitretin does. This may result in a greater chance of developing side effects for months or years, depending on how much and how often one drinks. This unusual effect can occur even after you stop taking acitretin, especially for the first 2 months after you stop taking this medicine
Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune or Neoral) or
Phenytoin (e.g., Dilantin)-Acitretin may increase the effects of this medicine
Etretinate (e.g., Tegison) or
Isotretinoin (e.g., Accutane) or
Tretinoin (oral) (e.g., Vesanoid) or
Tretinoin (topical) (e.g., Avita, Renova, or Retin A) or
Vitamin A, including vitamin supplements-Etretinate, isotretinoin, and tretinoin are not used together with acitretin; problems in skin, vision, and bone may be more likely to occur when they are used at the same time. If vitamin A is taken with acitretin, the dose of vitamin A should not exceed the minimum recommended daily allowance (RDA)
Methotrexate (e.g., Rheumatrex, Trexall)-Should not be used with acitretin
Oral contraceptives, progestin-only or “mini pills” (birth control pills) (e.g., Micronor, Nor-QD, Ovrette)-Acitretin may prevent progestin-only oral contraceptives from working properly and may result in an unplanned pregnancy. This does not occur with oral contraceptives containing both estrogens and progestins
Tetracyclines (demeclocycline [e.g., Declomycin], doxycycline [e.g., Doxycin] minocycline [e.g., Minocin] oxytetracycline [e.g., Terramycin] tetracycline [e.g., Symycin])-Should not be used with acitretin
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is especially important to avoid using the following skin products:
Any topical acne product or skin product containing a peeling agent (such as benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol, salicylic acid, or sulfur).
Hair products that are irritating, such as permanents or hair removal products.
Skin products that cause sensitivity to the sun, such as those containing spices or limes.
Skin products containing a large amount of alcohol, such as astringents, shaving creams, or after-shave lotions.
Skin products that are too drying or abrasive, such as some cosmetics, soaps, or skin cleansers.
Using these products when taking acitretin may cause mild to severe irritation of the skin.
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 medicine. To do so may increase the chance of developing side effects.
| 
