NEOTIGASON ® Acitretin

NEOTIGASON ® is a drug based on Acitretin

THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Retinoids for the treatment of psoriasis

IndicationsAction mechanismStudies and clinical effectiveness Usage and dosage instructionsWarnings Pregnancy and lactationInteractionsContraindicationsUndesirable effects

Indications NEOTIGASON ® Acitretin

NEOTIGASON ® is indicated in the treatment of severe psoriasis, also accompanied by arthropathy and in the treatment of dermatological pathologies characterized by hyperkeratinization.

Mechanism of action NEOTIGASON ® Acitretin

Acitretin, the active ingredient of NEOTIGASON, is a synthetic retinoid widely used in the treatment of the most severe forms of psoriasis, including those characterized by arthropathy.

Taken by mouth the active principle is effectively absorbed by the enteric mucosa, with a bioavailability of about 60%, and distributed through the circulatory stream linked to plasma proteins.

Once the target cell is reached, mostly represented by keratinocyte and some phlogistic elements, it binds a specific nuclear rector for retinoids by reprogramming gene expression and:

reducing the proliferative rate of these cells;
inducing the cell differentiation process;
modulating the expression of inflammatory mediators.

All this results in a clear improvement both in the phlogistic evolution of the pathology and in the histological characteristics of psoriatic lesions, thus determining an improvement in the quality of life of the affected patients.

After its activity, after a long half-life, Acitretin is eliminated completely metabolized both through the faeces and urine.

Studies carried out and clinical efficacy

EFFECTIVE DOSAGES OF ACITRETIN IN THE TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS IN PLATES

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2012 Jul 23. doi: 10.1111 / j.1468-3083.2012.04644.x. [Epub ahead of print]

Study demonstrating that the daily dosage of 35 mg of Acitretin is more effective than 25 mg and safer than 50 mg in the treatment of plaque psoriasis in adult patients.

ACITHRETIN IN THE TREATMENT OF CHANARIN DORFMAN SYNDROME

Clin Exp Dermatol. 2012 Jan; 37 (1): 31-3. doi: 10.1111 / j.1365-2230.2011.04164.x. Epub 2011 Oct 10.

Interesting work that demonstrates how retinoids and in particular Acitretin can be useful and effective also in the treatment of particular rare pathologies such as Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome, guaranteeing a clear improvement in the symptomatology and quality of life of affected patients.

ACETRETIN CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS

Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2009 Nov; 8 (6): 769-79.

Interesting review that concludes defining Acitretin an effective systemic treatment for psoriasis resistant to topical therapy, being able to be accompanied by other therapies, such as phototherapy, should it be inadequate in monotherapy.

Method of use and dosage

NEOTIGASON ®

Hard capsules of 10 - 25 mg of Acitretin

The dosing schedule, which is particularly complex and variable, must necessarily be defined by a physician experienced in the use of systemic retinoids, based on the physio-pathological characteristics of the patient, the severity of his clinical picture and the therapeutic goals to be achieved.

After an initial phase, the dosage should be adapted to the response observed in the patient, in order to optimize the therapeutic efficacy of the drug, while minimizing the potential side effects.

Warnings NEOTIGASON ® Acitretin

NEOTIGASON ® therapy must necessarily be preceded by a careful medical examination aimed at clarifying the prescriptive appropriateness and the possible presence of contraindications to systemic retinoid therapy.

Medical supervision is necessary during the entire therapeutic process in order to monitor the patient's health status also through the periodic monitoring of blood levels of cholesterol, transaminase, glucose and creatinine, and adapt therapy if there were signs of imbalance in function hepatic and renal or lipid and glucidic metabolism.

For the aforementioned reasons the use of systemic retinoids should be done with particular caution in patients suffering from liver, kidney, diabetic and elderly patients.

Given the photosensitizing power of Acitretin, it would also be appropriate for the patient receiving NEOTIGASON ® to avoid direct exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

It is recommended to keep the medicine out of the reach of children.

PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

The very high teratogenic power of Acitretin, observed in experimental models subjected to therapy both before and during pregnancy, the ability of the active principle to concentrate in breast milk in pharmacologically relevant quantities, not only extend the contraindications to the use of NEOTIGASON ® to pregnancy and breastfeeding, but require that the patient in therapy undergoes a pregnancy prevention program, useful for limiting the risks.

Interactions

The patient receiving NEOTIGASON ® should avoid the simultaneous intake of vitamin A, tetracycline, other retinoids, alcohol and phenytoin due to the important side effects that would result from their association.

Contraindications NEOTIGASON ® Acitretin

The use of NEOTIGASON ® is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to the active ingredient or to one of its excipients, during pregnancy and lactation and in patients suffering from liver and kidney pathologies, alterations in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

Undesirable effects - Side effects

The systemic therapy with retinoids is not free from side effects but on the contrary could determine with some frequency the appearance of headache, dryness of the mucous membranes, inflammation of the ocular, oral and respiratory mucous membranes, dermatological disorders, arthralgia, myalgia, edema and alteration of some hematochemical parameters such as transaminases.

Fortunately, clinically relevant adverse reactions are rarer.