Fixed Tapering Dosage of Acitretin in Patients with Psoriasis: A Short-Term Analysis of Clinical Efficacy and its Effects on Biochemical Parameters.

BACKGROUND

Acitretin is a widely used systemic retinoid in the treatment of psoriasis. Dosage of acitretin in not weight adjusted due to certain interindividual variations.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and effects on biochemical parameters of fixed tapering dosage of acitretin in patients with psoriasis administered over a period of 4 weeks.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This was an observational study. The study included patients of psoriasis vulgaris in the age group of 18 and 65 years with a psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score of >10 which was not responsive to topical therapy and phototherapy. Patients were given oral acitretin daily at a dose of 25 mg BD for 2 weeks, which was later tapered to 25 mg OD for another 2 weeks. The clinical efficacy and biochemical parameters were assessed.

RESULTS

Out of the 18 patients, PASI 75 was achieved in 66% of the patients by the end of the third week. Significant elevations were noted in serum lipids during 4 weeks, which returned to normal limits or near baseline levels at the end of 4 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Fixed tapering dose of acitretin is effective in psoriasis with minimal clinical and biochemical adverse events.