Acitretin with Vitamin A Interaction Details

Brand Names Associated with Acitretin

  • Acitretin
  • Soriatane®

Brand Names Associated with Vitamin A

  • Aquasol A
  • beta-carotene
  • retinol
  • retinyl acetate
  • retinyl palmitate
  • Vitamin A

Medical Content Editor
Last updated Feb 26, 2024

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Interaction Effect

Increased risk of vitamin A toxicity

Interaction Summary

Concomitant therapy with vitamin A and the related analogue acitretin is not advised due to the risk for vitamin A toxicity[1].

Severity

Moderate

Onset

Unspecified

Evidence

Theoretical

How To Manage Interaction

Coadministration of acitretin and vitamin A is not recommended by the manufacturer of acitretin. Should acitretin and vitamin A be given concomitantly, monitor patient response for signs of vitamin A toxicity. Due to the prolonged half-life of acitretin, the clinician should continue to monitor for signs and symptoms of hypervitaminosis-A (for up to 3 months) the patient who is maintained on vitamin A therapy after discontinuation of acitretin.

Mechanism Of Interaction

Additive vitamin A effects

References

    1 ) Product Information: Soriatane(R), acitretin. Roche Laboratories, Nutley, NJ, 2003.

Acitretin Overview

  • Acitretin is used to treat severe psoriasis (abnormal growth of skin cells that causes red, thickened, or scaly skin). Acitretin is in a class of medications called retinoids. The way acitretin works is not known.

See More information Regarding Acitretin

Vitamin A Overview

  • Vitamin A is used as a dietary supplement when the amount of vitamin A in the diet is not enough. People most at risk for vitamin A deficiency are those with a limited variety of food in their diet and in those with cystic fibrosis (an inborn disease that causes problems with breathing, digestion, and reproduction) and malabsorption problems (problems absorbing food). Vitamin A is used to prevent and treat xerophthalmia (unable to see in low light) and night blindness. Vitamin A is in a class of medications called an antioxidant. It is needed by the body to help with vision, reproduction, cell growth, and to support the immune system. It works to protect your cells against free radicals and to support cell growth and function.

See More information Regarding Vitamin A

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Definitions

Severity Categories

Contraindicated

These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.


Major

This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.


Moderate

This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.


Minor

While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.

Onset

Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.

Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.

Evidence

Level of documentation of the interaction.

Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.

Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.

How To Manage The Interaction

Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.

It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.

Mechanism Of Interaction

The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.

Where Does Our Information Come From?

Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:

The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used. 

Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.

The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.