Acitretin for the treatment of psoriasis: an assessment of national trends.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Combination therapy is a common and appropriate treatment strategy for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, as it provides for enhanced efficacy and decreased toxicity compared to the use of a single agent. Acitretin is an effective oral retinoid for psoriasis that seems to find its greatest value when complemented by other topical and systemic treatments.

OBJECTIVE:

The primary aim of this study is to assess the use of acitretin in combination with other treatments for psoriasis.

METHODS:

We assessed the use of acitretin for the treatment of psoriasis using nationally representative survey data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS).

RESULTS:

Among visits where acitretin was listed in the NAMCS, other psoriasis medications were co-prescribed in 62 percent of visits. The co-prescribed medications included topical corticosteroids (51%), calcipotriene (31%), biologics (6%), cyclosporine (5%), methotrexate (5%) and tazarotene (2%).

CONCLUSION:

The use of acitretin in combination with other psoriasis treatments, particularly topical corticosteroids and calcipotriene, is a common practice. Acitretin is co-prescribed with the biologics, likely because of the relative lack of overlapping effects on immune function. The immune-sparing method of action of acitretin makes combination treatment with the systemic agents an attractive treatment option, especially in patients where further immunosuppression is unwarranted.

• Authors: Pedram Ghasri, Brad A Yentzer, Tushar S Dabade, Steven R Feldman
• Journal: Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (J Drugs Dermatol) Vol. 10 Issue 8 Pg. 873-7 (Aug 2011) ISSN: 1545-9616 [Print] United States
• PMID: 21818508 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Dermatologic Agents
• Keratolytic Agents
• Retinoids
• Acitretin

Topics

• Acitretin (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Administration, Topical
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Databases, Factual
• Dermatologic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Disease Progression
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Drug Utilization (trends)
• Female
• Humans
• Keratolytic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Psoriasis (drug therapy, epidemiology, pathology, therapy)
• Retinoids (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• United States