Acitretin with Moisturizer

Acitretin with Moisturizer is used for:

Treating severe psoriasis.

Acitretin with Moisturizer is a kit that contains a vitamin A derivative (retinoid) and moisturizing foam. Exactly how the retinoid works is not known. The moisturizing foam relieves dry and chapped skin.

Do NOT use Acitretin with Moisturizer if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Acitretin with Moisturizer or to another retinoid (eg, tretinoin)
• you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• you have severe liver or kidney problems
• you have persistent high blood lipid levels
• you are taking methotrexate, a tetracycline, or vitamin A

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Acitretin with Moisturizer :

Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have diabetes or high blood lipid levels, are very overweight, or have a family member with any of these problems
• if you have a history of liver or kidney problems, bone problems, pancreas problems (eg, pancreatitis), heart disease, or mental or mood problems (eg, depression, suicidal thoughts or actions)
• if you receive phototherapy or drink alcohol
• if you take St. John's wort; it may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills)
• if you take a progestin-only birth control pill (mini-pill); your doctor may need to prescribe a different form of hormonal birth control

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Acitretin with Moisturizer . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any of the following medicines.

• Certain medicines for diabetes (eg, glyburide) because the risk of low blood sugar may be increased
• Methotrexate or tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline) because liver damage or increased pressure in the brain may occur
• Vitamin A because it may increase the risk of Acitretin with Moisturizer 's side effects
• Phenytoin because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Acitretin with Moisturizer
• Certain hormonal contraceptives (eg, low-dose progestin-only birth control pill, mini-pill) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Acitretin with Moisturizer

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Acitretin with Moisturizer may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Acitretin with Moisturizer :

Use Acitretin with Moisturizer as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Acitretin with Moisturizer comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Acitretin with Moisturizer refilled.
• Take the capsule(s) by mouth with a meal at about the same time each day, or as directed by your doctor.
• To use the foam, shake well before each use. Point the canister down and dispense a small amount onto the affected area as needed. Gently message the area until the foam disappears. Repeat as needed.
• Continue to use Acitretin with Moisturizer even if your condition does not improve right away. Your condition may become worse for a short time before it improves. It may take 2 to 3 months before you see the full benefits of Acitretin with Moisturizer .
• If you miss a dose of Acitretin with Moisturizer , you may take it later the same day. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Acitretin with Moisturizer .

Important safety information:

• Acitretin with Moisturizer may cause drowsiness or vision changes. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Acitretin with Moisturizer with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Acitretin with Moisturizer may cause decreased night vision. Use caution or avoid driving at night if you experience this effect.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Acitretin with Moisturizer without first checking with your doctor.
• Your condition may return after you stop treatment with Acitretin with Moisturizer . Check with your doctor if this occurs. Do not use any leftover medicine to treat your skin condition.
• Acitretin with Moisturizer is similar to vitamin A. Before you start any new medicine, check the label to see if it has vitamin A in it too. Do not take other medicines that contain vitamin A without checking with your doctor.
• Acitretin with Moisturizer may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Acitretin with Moisturizer . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Dental problems (eg, mouth sores, gum bleeding) may occur while you take Acitretin with Moisturizer . Contact your doctor or dentist if these problems persist or become bothersome.
• If you wear contact lenses, you may notice increased irritation with them while you are taking Acitretin with Moisturizer . If these effects continue, check with your doctor.
• The foam is for external use only. Do not get it into your eyes, nose, mouth, lips, or near your genital area. If you get the foam in one of these areas, rinse the area right away with water.
• The foam is flammable. Do not store or use near and open flame, or while you are smoking.
• Women who are able to become pregnant must use 2 effective forms of birth control for at least 1 month before they start Acitretin with Moisturizer , while they take it, and for at least 3 years after they stop treatment.
• Diabetes patients - Acitretin with Moisturizer may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including monthly pregnancy tests, liver function tests, x-rays, and lipid tests, may be performed while you use Acitretin with Moisturizer . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Acitretin with Moisturizer with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Acitretin with Moisturizer is not recommended for use in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Acitretin with Moisturizer if you are pregnant. If you think that you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Women of childbearing age should either abstain from sexual intercourse or use 2 effective methods of birth control for at least 1 month before, while taking, and for 3 years after taking Acitretin with Moisturizer . Do not breast-feed while you are using Acitretin with Moisturizer and for at least 3 years after stopping treatment.

Possible side effects of Acitretin with Moisturizer :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include severe or persistent headache or dizziness.

Store Acitretin with Moisturizer at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container. Avoid temperatures above 120 degrees F (40 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Acitretin with Moisturizer out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Acitretin with Moisturizer , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Acitretin with Moisturizer is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Acitretin with Moisturizer . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.