Acitretin and Dry Lips: What Users Say

• Des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2013

Acitretin for Psoriasis "I took Soriatane for about four months until my hair started falling out. Although Soriatane cleared 80% of my moderate psoriasis, I did not want to lose more hair. While taking Soriatane, my lips became very dry and cracked, peeling skin on my feet, and loss of hair. It was effective in clearing the psoriasis."

• Des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 1, 2013

Acitretin for Psoriasis "I took Soriatane for about four months until my hair started falling out. Although Soriatane cleared 80% of my moderate psoriasis, I did not want to lose more hair. While taking Soriatane, my lips became very dry and cracked, peeling skin on my feet, and loss of hair. It was effective in clearing the psoriasis."

• Haz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2019

For Psoriasis "Acitretin is the worst drug I ever tried. Within 12 days, I turned from 10% covered to 70% covered, new lesions everywhere, my scalp totally covered with new patches, very dry lips, hair loss, and peeling hands. I stopped it quickly, and the side effects still take effect after 5 weeks. Really nasty drug, I regret I tried it."

• Rit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2020

For Psoriasis "Had severe psoriasis on the palm of both hands, and acitretin was prescribed when topical creams, light box, and methotrexate did not work. I still have minor skin peeling/cracking, but nothing like the open sores on my fingertips, swelling, and pain I had before. Side effect I've experienced so far is the chapped lips and the constant ringing in my head, especially loud upon waking up in the morning. I stopped taking the med to see if I was cured, and in 2 days, I started to see a flare-up, so here I am. I truly hope there's an end to this treatment in the near future; the side effects of long-term use can be scary."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2018

For Psoriasis "I have been taking acitretin for about 6 weeks, 25 mg daily. My psoriasis has mostly cleared, still got white patches, but I find the side effects are terrible. I constantly itch, especially on my scalp, I never had psoriasis on my scalp. My arms and legs have peeled, and my hands and feet continue to peel, they look awful. My lips are chapped. I have a waxy layer in my mouth, which means I can’t taste food anymore, and my skin feels waxy and sticky as well and so fragile. I just have to brush against something, and it takes a layer off. At this moment, I am full of grazes from all the scratching. I know that these are the side effects stated, but will it ever get better?"

• SEN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2019

For Psoriasis "In Feb 2019, started acitretin 25 mg for palms of hands and soles of feet. Never eliminated all the psoriasis symptoms, but greatly reduced peeling, redness, and itching. Worst side effect was very chapped lips until Jun 2019 when my hair started falling out and breaking away. After 34 yrs of keeping gray at bay, I stopped coloring my hair in Jul 2019 thinking that might be triggering the hair exodus. I stopped taking acitretin in Aug 2019 and the hair continues to fall out (now Sep 2019). My dermatologist has ordered blood work to identify triggers. Fingers crossed!"

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2022

For Psoriasis "I have psoriasis, the severe areas are in my palms, hands, and feet. I’ve been taking Neotigason 25 mg/day for less than a month. It is quite responsive to the treatment, but my lips are extremely dry and I have hair loss."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2022

For Psoriasis "Started with 10 mg per day, was advised by the dermatologist of potential side effects: dry lips, nose, possible hair loss. After 3 weeks, experienced pressure in the left side of my brain with fluid buildup in my left ear, diagnosed with a severe ear infection. Then experienced extreme bone pain in my shoulders. Stopped using the drug with the dermatologist reducing the dose to 10 mg every 2nd day. 2 weeks later, my fingertips started to peel and developed onycholysis, causing all my nails to separate from the nail bed. No previous psoriasis on my fingers. All of the above are known side effects of acitretin, so would advise anyone starting on this treatment. The drug and the repeat prescriptions are now all in the garbage where they belong. Psoriasis cleared up slightly. I'm now back on methotrexate 10 mg per week, no side effects, and seems to be doing the job."

• Min...
• July 22, 2022

For Psoriasis "Only used this for six weeks, and my dermatologist took me off them. My psoriasis was on the soles of my feet and very severe. Days after taking acitretin, I started getting large, itchy lumps on my legs, followed by psoriasis all over my legs, which I didn’t have prior to starting these tablets. I had bleeding gums, extremely itchy hands, and cracked lips, and I also ended up with blisters on my legs. I really wanted these tablets to work, but I’ve got to say I’m glad I’m not taking them anymore. I’m going to try cyclosporine next, my daily dosage was 30 mg."