Manufacturer: Hoffmann-La Roche, Switzerland
Pharmaceutical name: Acitretin
Pack: 30 tabs (10mg/tab)

Acitretin is a type of medicine known as a retinoid. Retinoids have a structure similar to vitamin A and are involved in the normal growth of skin cells. Acitretin works by inhibiting the excessive cell growth and keratinisation (process by which skin cells become thickened due to the deposition of a protein within them) seen in psoriasis. It therefore reduces the thickening of the skin, plaque formation and scaling.

Acitretin is used to treat:
• Palmo-plantar pustular psoriasis (pustular psoriasis affecting the palms of the hands and soles of the feet)
• Severe congenital ichthyosis
• Severe Darier's disease
• Severe psoriasis