Patient/Family Teaching

• Instruct patient to take medication as directed. Take missed doses as soon as possible with milk or fatty food; do not take if almost time for next dose. Do not double doses. Inform patient that condition may appear to worsen during initial therapy. Caution patient not to share this medication with others; may be dangerous

• Caution patient not to take vitamin A supplements while taking acitretin. Hypervitaminosis A may result

• Instruct patient to immediately report vision problems or mood disturbances

• Instruct patient to use caution when driving at night

• Instruct patients with diabetes to closely follow blood glucose levels while taking acitretin. and to report significant changes in blood glucose levels to a health care provider

• Inform patient that dry skin and chapped lips will occur and to apply lubricant to lips. Health care professional should be notified if these symptoms become bothersome

• Advise patient that oral rinses, sugarless gum or candy, and frequent oral hygiene may help relieve dry mouth

• Discuss possibility of excessively dry eyes with patient who wears contact lenses. Patient may need to wear glasses during course of therapy

• Acitretin is contraindicated during pregnancy. Teratogenic effects may persist for years. Caution female patients to use two reliable forms of contraception for 1 mo prior to, throughout, and for at least 3 yr after discontinuation of therapy. Patients who have undergone a tubal ligation should also use a second form of contraception. Patient should discuss past use of acitretin with health care professional before attempting pregnancy. Soriatane Patient Referral Form is available to provide patient with initial free contraceptive counseling and pregnancy testing

• Caution female patients with reproductive potential not to ingest beverages or products containing alcohol during or for 2 mo after discontinuation of acitretin

• Instruct female patient to consult health care professional prior to taking other Rx, OTC, or herbal products, especially St. John's Wort

• Caution patient not to donate blood while taking acitretin and for 3 yr after discontinuation to prevent the possibility of a pregnant patient receiving the blood

• Caution patient to minimize exposure to sunlight, to wear sunscreen, and to avoid sunlamps to prevent photosensitivity reactions

• Inform patient of need for follow-up. Periodic ophthalmic exams and bone x-rays may be required

• Emphasize the importance of regular blood tests to check lipids and hepatic function

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