Acitretin-associated erectile dysfunction: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Two cases of impotence following a treatment with etretinate have been reported in the literature. Acitretin is the principal active metabolite of etretinate. We report a case of erectile dysfunction associated with the use of acitretin.


METHODS
A 39-year-old Caucasian man referred his incapacity to reach and maintain a penile erection during a course of acitretin for the treatment of a severe form of psoriasis. Physical examination, laboratory findings and psychological analysis did not reveal any abnormalities. Two weeks after the withdrawal of acitretin, the patient reported a normalization of his sexual activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Retinoids have been associated with male reproductive system dysfunctions in human and animal studies. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of acitretin-induced erectile dysfunction.
Rossi
Marco
M
Department of Pharmacology Giorgio Segre, University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 6, 53100 Siena, Italy. marcorss@alice.it
Pellegrino
Michele
M