The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Chapped lips (over 75%)
- High cholesterol and fat levels (up to 66%)
- Skin peeling (50-57%)
- Hair loss (50-57%)
- Runny nose (25-50%)
- Itching or scaly skin (25-50%)
- Nail changes (25-50%)
- Dry eyes (10-25%)
- Dry mouth (10-25%)
- Nosebleed (10-25%)
- Shivering (10-25%)
- Joint pain (10-25%)
- Pain or stiffness in the back (10-25%)
- Nerve pain or tingling (10-25%)
- Sticky or fragile skin (10-25%)
- Red, circular rash (10-25%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Tiredness
- Trouble sleeping
- Changes in mood
- Changes in appetite
- Headache
- Flushing or hot flashes
- Vision changes
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Bleeding gums
- Taste loss
Acitretin serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction: hives, itching, swelling of your face, mouth, or tongue, problems breathing, peeling skin
- Capillary leak syndrome: sudden weight gain, fever, low blood pressure
- High brain pressure: really bad headache, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision
- Vision loss or vision changes:
- Depression or thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Heart attack, blood clot, or stroke: shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, chest pain, weakness, trouble speaking, swelling of a leg
- Serious liver problems: yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, dark urine, loss of appetite
- Dangerously high blood sugar levels: frequent urination, more thirsty or hungry
Source: DailyMed
The following Acitretin side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Back pain
bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
bone or joint pain
change in taste
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
difficulty with moving or walking
excessive muscle tone
feeling of warmth
headache (severe and continuing)
hearing loss
increased sensitivity to pain
increased sensitivity to touch
muscle stiffness, tension, or tightness
nausea (severe and continuing)
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
redness of the skin
thinning of the skin with easy bruising
tingling in the hands and feet
tongue irritation
trouble sleeping
vomiting (severe and continuing)
Less common
Abnormal sensation of burning or stinging
blurred vision
belching
breast pain
cracking, redness, skin irritation, or rash (including a rash that looks like psoriasis)
general feeling of discomfort or illness
increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
indigestion
infection, ulcers, unusual odor, or small red spots in the skin
itching of the vagina or genital area
loosening of the fingernails
loss of eyebrows or eyelashes
pain during sexual intercourse
redness of the eyes
redness or soreness around the fingernails
redness or swelling of the eyelid
sensitivity of the eyes to light
sore mouth or tongue
thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
watery eyes
white patches in the mouth or on the tongue
Rare
Bleeding gums
bleeding time increased
coughing up blood
darkened urine
difficulty in breathing or swallowing
double vision or other problems in seeing, including decreased night vision after sunset and before sunrise
hoarseness
increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
itchy or painful ears
light-colored stools
nosebleeds
pale or cold hands or feet
paralysis
prolonged bleeding from cuts
red or dark brown urine
sore on the edge of the eyelid (stye)
stomach pain
thick, white, curd-like vaginal discharge
unpleasant breath odor
unusual tiredness or weakness
vaginal itching or irritation
vomiting of blood
yellowing of the skin or eyes
Incidence not known
Assault
attack
burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
chest discomfort
confusion
difficulty with speaking
doing things to injure oneself
inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
inability to speak
pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially calves
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
slow speech
slurred speech
sudden loss of coordination
sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
sweating
thoughts of killing oneself
unsteadiness or awkwardness
vision changes
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Dizziness or lightheadedness
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
sensation of spinning
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Chapped, red, or swollen lips
difficulty in wearing contact lenses
dry or runny nose
dryness of the eyes
increased ability to sunburn
increased amount of ear wax (unusual)
irritation in the mouth or swollen gums
itchy skin
loss of hair (usually reversible)
scaling and peeling of the eyelids, fingertips, palms, and soles of feet
sticky skin
unusual thirst
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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