Soriatane and alcohol

Using ethanol and acitretin is not recommended. Women should not drink any alcoholic beverages while taking acitretin or for 2 months after stopping treatment. Alcoholic beverages increase the risk for birth defects while taking acitretin. Acitretin can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy. Never use acitretin if you are pregnant. Both a primary and a secondary form of birth control must be used together and for at least 3 years after stopping therapy. Talk with your doctor about other possible birth control methods while you are taking acitretin. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

CONTRAINDICATED: Ethanol consumption with acitretin leads to the formation of etretinate, which has a much longer half-life than acitretin. Major human fetal abnormalities have been associated with the administration of acitretin, etretinate, and other retinoids. The longer elimination half-life of etretinate relative to acitretin increases the duration of teratogenic potential for female patients. In one case report of a patient with apparent sporadic ethanol intake, etretinate was present in plasma and fat for 52 months after acitretin was discontinued.

MANAGEMENT: Female patients should be warned that ethanol is contraindicated during active treatment with acitretin and for two months after cessation of therapy.

Take acitretin with food. Women must avoid all drinks, food, and medicines (including over-the-counter products) that contain alcohol while taking acitretin or for 2 months after stopping treatment. Alcoholic beverages increase the risk for birth defects while taking acitretin. Acitretin can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy. Never use acitretin if you are pregnant. Both a primary and a secondary form of birth control must be used together and for at least 3 years after stopping therapy. Talk with your doctor about other possible birth control methods while you are taking acitretin. It is important that you tell your healthcare provider about all other medications that you are using including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using your medications without first talking to your doctor.

CONTRAINDICATED: Ethanol consumption with acitretin leads to the formation of etretinate, which has a much longer half-life than acitretin. Major human fetal abnormalities have been associated with the administration of acitretin, etretinate, and other retinoids. The longer elimination half-life of etretinate relative to acitretin increases the duration of teratogenic potential for female patients. In one case report of a patient with apparent sporadic ethanol intake, etretinate was present in plasma and fat for 52 months after acitretin was discontinued.

MANAGEMENT: Female patients should be warned that ethanol is contraindicated during active treatment with acitretin and for two months after cessation of therapy.