• Severe extensive psoriasis which is resistant to other forms of therapy.

• Palmo-plantar pustular psoriasis.

• Severe congenital ichthyosis.

• Severe Darier's disease (keratosis follicularis).

Posology

Acitretin should only be prescribed by physicians who are experienced in the use of systemic retinoids and understand the risk of teratogenicity associated with acitretin therapy (see section 4.6).

The capsules should be taken once daily with meals or with milk.

There is a wide variation in the absorption and rate of metabolism of Acitretin. This necessitates individual adjustment of dosage. For this reason the following dosage recommendations can serve only as a guide.

Adults

Initial daily dose should be 25mg or 30mg for 2 to 4 weeks. After this initial treatment period the involved areas of the skin should show a marked response and/or side-effects should be apparent. Following assessment of the initial treatment period, titration of the dose upwards or downwards may be necessary to achieve the desired therapeutic response with the minimum of side-effects. In general, a daily dosage of 25 - 50mg taken for a further 6 to 8 weeks achieves optimal therapeutic results. However, it may be necessary in some cases to increase the dose up to a maximum of 75mg/day.

In patients with Darier's disease a starting dose of 10mg may be appropriate. The dose should be increased cautiously as isomorphic reactions may occur.

Therapy can be discontinued in patients with psoriasis whose lesions have improved sufficiently. Relapses should be treated in the same way as described above.

Patients with severe congenital ichthyosis and severe Darier's disease may require therapy beyond 3 months. The lowest effective dosage, not exceeding 50mg/day, should be given.

Continuous use beyond 6 months is contraindicated as only limited clinical data are available on patients treated beyond this length of time.

Elderly

Dosage recommendations are the same as for other adults.

Paediatric population

In view of possible severe side-effects associated with long-term treatment, Acitretin is contraindicated in children unless, in the opinion of the physician, the benefits significantly outweigh the risks.

The dosage should be established according to bodyweight. The daily dosage is about 0.5mg/kg. Higher doses (up to 1mg/kg daily) may be necessary in some cases for limited periods, but only up to a maximum of 35mg/day. The maintenance dose should be kept as low as possible in view of possible long-term side-effects.

Combination therapy

Other dermatological therapy, particularly with keratolytics, should normally be stopped before administration of acitretin. However, the use of topical corticosteroids or bland emollient ointment may be continued if indicated.

When Acitretin is used in combination with other types of therapy, it may be possible, depending on the individual patient's response, to reduce the dosage of Acitretin.

Method of administration

Acitretin capsules are for oral administration.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance, to other retinoids or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

The use of Acitretin is contraindicated in women who are breast-feeding.

Acitretin is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic or renal impairment and in patients with chronic abnormally elevated blood lipid values.

Since both acitretin and tetracyclines can cause increased intracranial pressure, their combined use is contraindicated. Supplementary treatment with antibiotics such as tetracyclines is therefore contraindicated (see section 4.5).

An increased risk of hepatitis has been reported following the concomitant use of methotrexate and etretinate. Consequently, the concomitant use of methotrexate and Acitretin is contraindicated (see section 4.5).

Concomitant administration of Acitretin with other retinoids or Vitamin A is contraindicated due to the risk of hypervitaminosis A.

Pregnancy Prevention Programme

This medicinal product is TERATOGENIC.

Acitretin is contraindicated in women of childbearing potential unless all of the following conditions of the Pregnancy Prevention Programme are met:

• She has been prescribed Acitretin for Severe extensive psoriasis (erythrodermic psoriasis, local or generalized pustular psoriasis) which is resistant to other forms of therapy and/or Palmo-plantar pustular psoriasis and/or Severe keratinization disorders (congenital ichthyosis, pityriasis rubra pilaris and/or Severe Darier's disease (keratosis follicularis), other disorders of keratinization which may be resistant to other therapies). (see section 4.1 "Therapeutic indications").

• The potential for pregnancy must be assessed for all female patients.

• She understands the teratogenic risk.

• She understands the need for rigorous follow-up on a monthly basis.

• She understands and accepts the need for effective contraception, without interruption, 1 month before starting treatment, throughout the entire duration of treatment and for 3 years after the end of treatment. At least one highly effective method of contraception (i.e. a user-independent form) or two complementary user-dependent forms of contraception should be used.

• Individual circumstances should be evaluated in each case, when choosing the contraception method, involving the patient in the discussion, to guarantee her engagement and compliance with the chosen measures.

• Even if she has amenorrhea she must follow all the advice on effective contraception.

• She is informed and understands the potential consequences of pregnancy and the need to rapidly consult if there is a risk of pregnancy or if she might be pregnant.

• She understands the need and accepts to undergo regular pregnancy testing before, ideally monthly during treatment and periodically with 1-3 monthly intervals for a period of 3 years after stopping treatment.

• She has acknowledged that she has understood the hazards and necessary precautions associated with the use of Acitretin.

These conditions also concern women who are not currently sexually active unless the prescriber considers that there are compelling reasons to indicate that there is no risk of pregnancy.

The prescriber must ensure that:

• The patient complies with the conditions for pregnancy prevention as listed above, including confirmation that she has an adequate level of understanding.

• The patient has acknowledged the aforementioned conditions.

• The patient understands that she must consistently and correctly use one highly effective method of contraception (i.e. a user-independent form) or two complementary user-dependent forms of contraception, for at least 1 month prior to starting treatment and is continuing to use effective contraception throughout the treatment period and for at least 3 years after cessation of treatment.

• Negative pregnancy test results have been obtained before, during and periodically with 1-3 monthly intervals for a period of 3 years after stopping treatment. The dates and results of pregnancy tests should be documented.

If pregnancy occurs in a woman treated with Acitretin, treatment must be stopped, and the patient should be referred to a physician specialised or experienced in teratology for evaluation and advice.

If pregnancy occurs after stopping treatment, there remains a risk of severe and serious malformation of the fetus. This risk persists until the product has been completely eliminated, which is within 3 years following the end of treatment.

Contraception

Female patients must be provided with comprehensive information on pregnancy prevention and should be referred for contraceptive advice if they are not using effective contraception. If the prescribing physician is not in a position to provide such information the patient should be referred to the relevant healthcare professional

As a minimum requirement, female patients of childbearing potential must use at least one highly effective method of contraception (i.e. a user-independent form), or two complementary user-dependent forms of contraception. Contraception should be used for at least 1 month prior to starting treatment, throughout treatment and continue for at least 3 years after stopping treatment with Acitretin, even in patients with amenorrhea.

Individual circumstances should be evaluated in each case, when choosing the contraception method involving the patient in the discussion, to guarantee her engagement and compliance with the chosen measures.

Pregnancy testing

According to local practice, medically supervised pregnancy tests with a minimum sensitivity of 25mUI/mL are recommended to be performed, as follows.

Prior to starting therapy

At least one month after the patient has started using contraception, and shortly (preferably a few days) prior to the first prescription, the patient should undergo a medically supervised pregnancy test. This test should ensure the patient is not pregnant when she starts treatment with Acitretin.

Follow-up visits

Follow-up visits should be arranged at regular intervals, ideally monthly. The need for repeated medically supervised pregnancy tests every month should be determined according to local practice including consideration of the patient's sexual activity, recent menstrual history (abnormal menses, missed periods or amenorrhea) and method of contraception. Where indicated, follow-up pregnancy tests should be performed on the day of the prescribing visit or in the 3 days prior to the visit to the prescriber.

End of treatment

Women should undergo pregnancy test periodically with 1-3 monthly intervals for a period of 3 years after stopping treatment.

Prescribing and dispensing restrictions

For women of childbearing potential, the prescription duration of Acitretin should ideally be limited to 30 days in order to support regular follow up, including pregnancy testing and monitoring. Ideally, pregnancy testing, issuing a prescription and dispensing of Acitretin should occur on the same day.

This monthly follow-up will allow ensuring that regular pregnancy testing and monitoring is performed and that the patient is not pregnant before receiving the next cycle of medication.

Male patients

The available data suggest that the level of maternal exposure from the semen of the patients receiving Acitretin, is not of a sufficient magnitude to be associated with the teratogenic effects of Acitretin. Male patients should be reminded that they must not share their medication with anyone, particularly not females.

Additional precautions

Patients should be instructed never to give this medicinal product to another person and to return any unused capsules to their pharmacist at the end of treatment.

Patients should not donate blood during therapy and for 3 years following discontinuation of Acitretin because of the potential risk to the foetus of a pregnant transfusion recipient.

Educational material

In order to assist prescribers, pharmacists and patients in avoiding fetal exposure to Acitretin the Marketing Authorisation Holder will provide educational material to reinforce the warnings about the teratogenicity of Acitretin, to provide advice on contraception before therapy is started and to provide guidance on the need for pregnancy testing.

Full patient information about the teratogenic risk and the strict pregnancy prevention measures as specified in the Pregnancy Prevention Programme should be given by the physician to all patients, both male and female.

Full patient information about the teratogenic risk and the strict pregnancy prevention measures should be given by the physician to all patients, both male and female.

Clinical evidence has shown that etretinate can be formed with concurrent ingestion of acitretin and alcohol. Etretinate is highly teratogenic and has a longer half-life (approximately 120 days) than acitretin. Women of childbearing age must not consume alcohol (in drinks, food or medicines) during treatment with acitretin and for 2 months after cessation of acitretin therapy. Contraceptive measures and pregnancy tests must also be taken for 3 years after completion of acitretin treatment (see section 4.6 and 5.2).

Women of childbearing potential must not receive blood from patients being treated with acitretin.

Hepatic function should be checked before starting treatment with Acitretin, every 1 - 2 weeks for the first 2 months after commencement and then every 3 months during treatment. If abnormal results are obtained, weekly checks should be instituted. If hepatic function fails to return to normal or deteriorates further, Acitretin must be withdrawn. In such cases it is advisable to continue monitoring hepatic function for at least 3 months (see section 4.8).

Serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides (fasting values) must be monitored before starting treatment, one month after the commencement and then every 3 months during treatment. Acitretin treatment should be discontinued in case of uncontrolled levels of hypertriglyceridemia or if symptoms of pancreatitis occur.

Decreased night vision has been reported with acitretin therapy. Patients should be advised of this potential problem and warned to be cautious when driving or operating any vehicle at night. Visual problems should be carefully monitored (see section 4.8).

There have been rare reports of benign intracranial hypertension. Patients with severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances should discontinue acitretin immediately and be referred for neurologic evaluation and care (see section 4.8).

In adults, especially elderly, receiving long-term treatment with Acitretin, appropriate examinations should be periodically performed in view of possible ossification abnormalities (see section 4.8). Any patients complaining of atypical musculo-skeletal symptoms on treatment with Acitretin should be promptly and fully investigated to exclude possible acitretin-induced bone changes. If clinically significant bone or joint changes are found, Acitretin therapy should be discontinued.

Paediatric population

Since there have been occasional reports of bone changes in children, including premature epiphyseal closure, skeletal hyperostosis and extraosseous calcification after long-term treatment with etretinate, these effects may be expected with acitretin. Acitretin therapy in children is not, therefore, recommended. If, in exceptional circumstances, such therapy is undertaken the child should be carefully monitored for any abnormalities of musculo-skeletal development and growth parameters and bone development must be closely monitored.

It should be emphasized that, at the present time, not all the consequences of life-long administration of acitretin are known.

The effects of UV light are enhanced by retinoid therapy, therefore patients should avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and the unsupervised use of sun lamps. Where necessary a sun-protection product with a high protection factor of at least SPF 15 should be used.

Treatment with high dose retinoids can cause mood changes including irritability, aggression and depression.

High risk patient

In patients with diabetes, alcoholism, obesity, cardiovascular risk factors or a lipid metabolism disorder undergoing treatment with acitretin, more frequent checks are necessary of serum values for lipids, and/or glycaemia and other cardiovascular risk indicators, e.g. blood pressure. In diabetics, retinoids can either improve or worsen glucose tolerance. Blood-sugar levels must therefore be checked more frequently than usual in the early stages of treatment.

For all high risk patients where cardiovascular risk indicators fail to return to normal or deteriorate further, dose reduction or withdrawal of acitretin should be considered.

In diabetic patients, retinoids can alter glucose tolerance. Blood sugar levels should therefore be checked more frequently than usual at the beginning of the treatment period.

Very rare cases of Capillary Leak Syndrome/retinoic acid syndrome have been reported from world-wide post marketing experience.

Very rare cases of Exfoliative dermatitis have been reported from world-wide post marketing experience.

Acitretin should only be prescribed by physicians who are experienced in the use of systemic retinoids and understand the risk of teratogenicity associated with acitretin therapy.

Acitretin is highly teratogenic. The risk of giving birth to a deformed child is exceptionally high if Acitretin is taken before or during pregnancy, no matter for how long or at what dosage. Foetal exposure to Acitretin always involves a risk of congenital malformation.

Primary contraceptive method is a combination hormonal contraceptive product or an intrauterine device and it is recommended that a condom or diaphragm (cap) is also used. Low dose progesterone-only products (minipills) are not recommended due to indications of possible interference with their contraceptive effect.

Acitretin has been shown to affect diaphyseal and spongy bone adversely in animals at high doses in excess of those recommended for use in man. Since skeletal hyperostosis and extraosseous calcification have been reported following long-term treatment with etretinate in man, this effect should be expected with acitretin therapy.

Patients should be warned of the possibility of alopecia occurring (see section 4.8 Undesirable effects).

Psychiatric disorders

Depression, depression aggravated, anxiety, and mood alterations have been reported in patients treated with systemic retinoids, including Acitretin. Particular care should be taken in patients with a history of depression. Patients should be monitored for signs of depression and referred for appropriate treatment if necessary. Awareness by family or friends may be useful to detect mental health deterioration.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

Concomitant administration of methotrexate, tetracyclines or vitamin A and other retinoids with acitretin is contraindicated, see section 4.3. An increased risk of hepatitis has been reported following the concomitant use of methotrexate and etretinate.

Low dose progesterone-only products (minipills) may be an inadequate method of contraception during acitretin therapy, see section 4.6. Interactions with combined estrogen/progestogen oral contraceptives have not been observed.

In a study with healthy volunteers, concurrent intake of a single dose of acitretin together with alcohol led to the formation of etretinate which is highly teratogenic. The mechanism of this metabolic process has not been defined, so it is not clear whether other interacting agents are also possible. Women of childbearing age must therefore not consume alcohol (in drinks, food or medicines) during treatment with acitretin and for 2 months after cessation of acitretin therapy. (See section 4.4 and 5.2).

In concurrent treatment with phenytoin, it must be remembered that Acitretin partially reduces the protein binding of phenytoin. The clinical significance of this is as yet unknown.

Interactions between Acitretin and other substances (e.g. digoxin, cimetidine) have not been observed to date.

Investigations into the effect of acitretin on the protein binding of anticoagulants of the coumarin type (warfarin) revealed no interaction.

Women of childbearing potential / Contraception in males and females

Acitretin is highly teratogenic. Its use is contraindicated in women who might become pregnant during or within 3 years of the cessation of treatment. The risk of giving birth to a deformed child is exceptionally high if acitretin is taken before or during pregnancy, no matter for how long or at what dosage.

Primary contraceptive method can be a combination hormonal contraceptive product or an intrauterine device and it is recommended that a condom or diaphragm (cap) is also used. Low dose progesterone-only products (minipills) are not recommended due to indications of possible interference with their contraceptive effect.

For male patients treated with acitretin, available data, based on the level of maternal exposure from the semen and seminal fluid indicate a minimal, if any, risk of teratogenic effects.

Pregnancy

Acitretin is contraindicated in pregnant women (see section 4.3).

Breast-feeding

Acitretin must not be given to nursing mothers (see section 4.3).

Decreased night vision has been reported with Acitretin therapy. Patients should be advised of this potential problem and warned to be cautious when driving or operating any vehicle at night. Visual problems should be carefully monitored (see section 4.8).

Undesirable effects are seen in most patients receiving acitretin. However, the toxic dose of Acitretin is close to the therapeutic dose and most patients experience some side-effects during the initial period whilst dosage is being adjusted. They are usually reversible with reduction of dosage or discontinuation of therapy.

The skin and mucous membranes are most commonly affected, and it is recommended that patients should be so advised before treatment is commenced. An initial worsening of psoriasis symptoms is sometimes seen at the beginning of the treatment period.

The most frequent undesirable effects observed are symptoms of hypervitaminosis A, e.g. dryness of the lips, which can be alleviated by application of a fatty ointment.

Undesirable effects reported for acitretin in clinical trials or as post-marketing events are listed below by System Organ Class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as:

Very common (≥ 1/10)

Common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10)

Uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100)

Rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000)

Very rare (<1/10,000)

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)

* Dryness of the conjunctivae may lead to mild-to-moderate conjunctivitis or xerophthalmia and result in intolerance of contact lenses; it may be alleviated by lubrication with artificial tears or topical antibiotics.

** Usually noted 4 to 8 weeks after starting therapy, and are reversible following discontinuation of Acitretin. Full recovery usually occurs within 6 months of stopping treatment in the majority of patients.

Paediatric population

There have been occasional reports of bone changes in children, including premature epiphyseal closure, skeletal hyperostosis and extraosseous calcification after long-term treatment with etretinate, these effects may be expected with acitretin. In children, growth parameters and bone development must be closely monitored.

Diabetics

Retinoids can either improve or worsen glucose tolerance (see section 4.4).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Health professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme (Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard) or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Manifestations of acute Vitamin A toxicity include severe headache, vertigo, nausea or vomiting, drowsiness, irritability and pruritus. Signs and symptoms of accidental or deliberate overdosage with Acitretin would probably be similar. Specific treatment is unnecessary because of the low acute toxicity of the preparation.

Because of the variable absorption of the drug, gastric lavage may be worthwhile within the first few hours after ingestion.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antipsoriatics, retinoids for treatment of psoriasis

ATC code: D05BB02

Mechanism of action

Retinol (Vitamin A) is known to be essential for normal epithelial growth and differentiation, though the mode of this effect is not yet established. Both retinol and retinoic acid are capable of reversing hyperkeratotic and metaplastic skin changes. However, these effects are generally only obtained at dosages associated with considerable local or systemic toxicity. Acitretin, a synthetic aromatic derivative of retinoic acid, has a favourable therapeutic ratio, with a greater and more specific inhibitory effect on psoriasis and disorders of epithelial keratinisation. The usual therapeutic response to acitretin consists of desquamation (with or without erythema) followed by more normal re-epithelialisation.

Acitretin is the main active metabolite of etretinate.

Absorption

Acitretin reaches peak plasma concentration 1 - 4 hours after ingestion of the drug. Bioavailability of orally administered acitretin is enhanced by food. Bioavailability of a single dose is approximately 60%, but inter-patient variability is considerable (36 - 95%).

Distribution

Acitretin is highly lipophilic and penetrates readily into body tissues. Protein binding of acitretin exceeds 99%. In animal studies, acitretin passed the placental barrier in quantities sufficient to produce foetal malformations. Due to its lipophilic nature, it can be assumed that acitretin passes into breast milk in considerable quantities.

Metabolism/Biotransformation

Acitretin is metabolised by isomerisation into its 13-cis isomer (cis acitretin), by glucuronidation and cleavage of the side chain.

Clinical evidence has shown that etretinate can be formed with concurrent ingestion of acitretin and alcohol. Etretinate is highly teratogenic and has a longer half-life (approximately 120 days) than acitretin (see section 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6).

Elimination

Multiple-dose studies in patients aged 21 - 70 years showed an elimination half-life of approximately 50 hours for acitretin and 60 hours for its main metabolite in plasma, cis acitretin, which is also a teratogen. From the longest elimination half-life observed in these patients for acitretin (96 hours) and cis acitretin (123 hours), and assuming linear kinetics, it can be predicted that more than 99% of the drug is eliminated within 36 days after cessation of long-term therapy. Furthermore, plasma concentrations of acitretin and cis acitretin dropped below the sensitivity limit of the assay (< 6ng/ml) within 36 days following cessation of treatment. Acitretin is excreted entirely in the form of its metabolites, in approximately equal parts via the kidneys and the bile.

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenic potential.

For teratogenic effects see section 4.6.

Capsule filling:

Disodium edetate,

Maltodextrin,

Microcrystalline cellulose,

Poloxamer 407,

Purified water,

Sodium ascorbate.

Capsule shell:

Gelatin,

Titanium dioxide (E171),

Iron oxide yellow (E172),

Iron oxide black (E172),

Iron oxide red (E172).

Printing Ink - White

Shellac,

Titanium dioxide (E171),

Isopropyl alcohol,

N-butyl alcohol,

Propylene glycol (E1520).

Not applicable.

3 years.

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

Aluminium blister (PA/Alu/PVC-Alu) packs.

Pack sizes:

10, 20, 28, 30, 56, 60, 100 and 120 hard capsules.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.