Pharmacokinetics of acitretin.
Acitretin, the metabolite of etretinate, is eliminated far more rapidly from the human body than is etretinate. It has therefore been suggested that only a short period of contraception would be required following the completion of long-term therapy. However, recent studies have demonstrated the presence of etretinate in the plasma of acitretin-treated patients. In this paper, we review the results of studies at our centre in view of the recently discovered metabolic pathways for acitretin. Re-esterification of acitretin to etretinate, however, results in a loss of the metabolic advantages of acitretin. Because of this new knowledge, the recommended contraception period after acitretin therapy has been lengthened to 2 years.
Lambert
W E
WE
Laboratory for Medical Biochemistry and Clinical Analysis, University of Ghent, Belgium.
Meyer
E
E
De Leenheer
A P
AP
De Bersaques
J
J
Kint
A H
AH
D017255:Acitretin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy
D017255:Acitretin