Etretinate. A clinician's view.
Etretinate offers a new avenue for exploration and therapy of previously resistant dermatoses and tumors. Unfortunately, the drug most often suppresses and rarely cures any given condition. Because of its toxicity, a majority of patients are unable to continue on long-term therapy; many request an alternative form of medication after 3 to 6 months. Perhaps this is fortunate, as the adverse reactions seem to accumulate and increase in frequency with long-term administration. Even for patients, especially young women, with conditions apparently ideally suited for etretinate, it may be wise to exhaust all other available options, including a trial of isotretinoin, before beginning etretinate.
Landow
R K
RK
University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles.
D005050:Etretinate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans
D005050:Etretinate