Hypervitaminosis A produces a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms primarily of the mucocutaneous, musculoskeletal, hepatic, neuropsychiatric, and central nervous systems. Many of the clinical adverse reactions reported to date with administration of acitretin resemble those of the hypervitaminosis A syndrome. Adverse Events/Postmarketing Reports In addition to the events listed in the tables for the clinical trials, the following adverse events have been identified during postapproval use of acitretin.
Because these events are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiovascular Acute myocardial infarction, thromboembolism (see WARNINGS ), stroke. Immune System Disorders Hypersensitivity, including angioedema and urticaria (see CONTRAINDICATIONS ). Nervous System Myopathy with peripheral neuropathy has been reported during therapy with acitretin.
Both conditions improved with discontinuation of the drug. Psychiatric Aggressive feelings and/or suicidal thoughts have been reported. These events, including self-injurious behavior, have been reported in patients taking other systemically administered retinoids, as well as in patients taking acitretin. Since other factors may have contributed to these events, it is not known if they are related to acitretin (see PRECAUTIONS ).
Reproductive Vulvo-vaginitis due to Candida albicans . Skin and Appendages Thinning of the skin, skin fragility, and scaling may occur all over the body, particularly on the palms and soles; nail fragility is frequently observed. Madarosis and exfoliative dermatitis/erythroderma have been reported (see WARNINGS ). Vascular Disorders Capillary leak syndrome (see WARNINGS ). Clinical Trials During clinical trials with acitretin, 513 of 525 (98%) subjects reported a total of 3,545 adverse events.
One-hundred sixteen subjects (22%) left trials prematurely, primarily because of adverse experiences involving the mucous membranes and skin. Three subjects died. Two of the deaths were not drug-related (pancreatic adenocarcinoma and lung cancer); the other subject died of an acute myocardial infarction, considered remotely related to drug therapy. In clinical trials, acitretin was associated with elevations in liver function test results or triglyceride levels and hepatitis.
The tables below list by body system and frequency the adverse events reported during clinical trials of 525 subjects with psoriasis. Table 3. Adverse Events Frequently Reported during Clinical Trials Percent of Subjects Reporting (N = 525) Body System > 75% 50% to 75% 25% to 50% 10% to 25% CNS Rigors Eye Disorders Xerophthalmia Mucous Membranes Cheilitis Rhinitis Dry mouth Epistaxis Musculoskeletal Arthralgia Spinal hyperostosis (progression of existing lesions) Skin and Appendages Alopecia Skin peeling Dry skin Nail disorder Pruritus Erythematous rash Hyperesthesia Paresthesia Paronychia Skin atrophy Sticky skin Table 4.
Adverse Events Less Frequently Reported during Clinical Trials (Some of Which May Bear No Relationship to Therapy) Percent of Subjects Reporting (N = 525) Body System 1% to 10% < 1% Body as a Whole Anorexia Edema Fatigue Hot flashes Increased appetite Alcohol intolerance Dizziness Fever Influenza-like symptoms Malaise Moniliasis Muscle weakness Weight increase Cardiovascular Flushing Chest pain Cyanosis Increased bleeding time Intermittent claudication Peripheral ischemia CNS (also see Psychiatric) Headache Pain Abnormal gait Migraine Neuritis Pseudotumor cerebri (intracranial hypertension) Eye Disorders Abnormal/ blurred vision Blepharitis Conjunctivitis/ irritation Corneal epithelial abnormality Decreased night vision/night blindness Eye abnormality Eye pain Photophobia Abnormal lacrimation Chalazion Conjunctival hemorrhage Corneal ulceration Diplopia Ectropion Itchy eyes and lids Papilledema Recurrent sties Subepithelial corneal lesions Gastrointestinal Abdominal pain Diarrhea Nausea Tongue disorder Constipation Dyspepsia Esophagitis Gastritis Gastroenteritis Glossitis Hemorrhoids Melena Tenesmus Tongue ulceration Liver and Biliary Hepatic function abnormal Hepatitis Jaundice Mucous Membranes Gingival bleeding Gingivitis Increased saliva Stomatitis Thirst Ulcerative stomatitis Altered saliva Anal disorder Gum hyperplasia Hemorrhage Pharyngitis Musculoskeletal Arthritis Arthrosis Back pain Hypertonia Myalgia Osteodynia Peripheral joint hyperostosis (progression of existing lesions) Bone disorder Olecranon bursitis Spinal hyperostosis (new lesions) Tendonitis Psychiatric Depression Insomnia Somnolence Anxiety Dysphonia Libido decreased Nervousness Reproductive Atrophic vaginitis Leukorrhea Respiratory Sinusitis Coughing Increased sputum Laryngitis Skin and Appendages Abnormal skin odor Abnormal hair texture Bullous eruption Cold/clammy skin Dermatitis Increased sweating Infection Psoriasiform rash Purpura Pyogenic granuloma Rash Seborrhea Skin fissures Skin ulceration Sunburn Acne Breast pain Cyst Eczema Fungal infection Furunculosis Hair discoloration Herpes simplex Hyperkeratosis Hypertrichosis Hypoesthesia Impaired healing Otitis media Otitis externa Photosensitivity reaction Psoriasis aggravated Scleroderma Skin nodule Skin hypertrophy Skin disorder Skin irritation Sweat gland disorder Urticaria Verrucae Special Senses/ Other Earache Taste perversion Tinnitus Ceruminosis Deafness Taste loss Urinary Abnormal urine Dysuria Penis disorder Laboratory Therapy with acitretin induces changes in liver function tests in a significant number of patients.
Elevations of AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT) or LDH were experienced by approximately 1 in 3 subjects treated with acitretin. In most subjects, elevations were slight to moderate and returned to normal either during continuation of therapy or after cessation of treatment. In subjects receiving acitretin during clinical trials, 66% and 33% experienced elevation in triglycerides and cholesterol, respectively. Decreased high density lipoproteins (HDL) occurred in 40% (see WARNINGS ).
Transient, usually reversible elevations of alkaline phosphatase have been observed. Table 5 lists the laboratory abnormalities reported during clinical trials. Table 5. Abnormal Laboratory Test Results Reported during Clinical Trials Percent of Subjects Reporting Body System 50% to 75% 25% to 50% 10% to 25% 1% to 10% Electrolytes Increased: –Phosphorus –Potassium –Sodium Increased and decreased: –Magnesium Decreased: –Phosphorus –Potassium –Sodium Increased and decreased: –Calcium –Chloride Hematologic Increased: –Reticulocytes Decreased: –Hematocrit –Hemoglobin –WBC Increased: –Haptoglobin –Neutrophils –WBC Increased: –Bands –Basophils –Eosinophils –Hematocrit –Hemoglobin –Lymphocytes –Monocytes Decreased: –Haptoglobin –Lymphocytes –Neutrophils –Reticulocytes Increased or decreased: –Platelets –RBC Hepatic Increased: –Cholesterol –LDH –SGOT –SGPT Decreased: –HDL cholesterol Increased: –Alkaline phosphatase –Direct bilirubin –GGTP Increased: –Globulin –Total bilirubin –Total protein Increased and decreased: –Serum albumin Miscellaneous Increased: –Triglycerides Increased: –CPK –Fasting blood sugar Decreased: –Fasting blood sugar –High occult blood Increased and decreased: –Iron Renal Increased: –Uric acid Increased: –BUN –Creatinine Urinary WBC in urine Acetonuria Hematuria RBC in urine Glycosuria Proteinuria To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Teva at 1-888-838-2872 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
