Retinoids


Information about the use of retinoids in the treatment of psoriasis.


Retinoids are a class of Vitamin-A derivatives, some of which show antipsoriatic activity in topical or oral (systemic) forms. Do not confuse these drugs with “normal,” dietary Vitamin A, which can be deadly in large doses. Retinoids are not Vitamin A, and there is little evidence that taking massive quantities of Vitamin A will have any effect on psoriasis.

The NPF and many online pharmacology resources have so much good, accessible, information on these drugs (see below) that I will leave writing my own summary until a later date.

Unreviewed Treatments and Information


1UpHealth

NPF
Topical retinoidsGrade B
Oral retinoidsGrade A

Tazarotene (Topical)
Tazorac®, or Zorac outside the U.S.A.
New Drug Approvals (July, 1997)
NPF’s ArticleGrade A
Clinical Pharmacology Online’s Monograph
1998 Article about approval in Canada
Covered by Newfoundland & Labrador’s Drug Program when more conventional treatments failPDF File
Tazarotene Is First New Generation Retinoid for Treating Plaque Psoriasis (June, 1997)

Etretinate (Oral)
Tegison®
EpidemiologicNotes and Reports Use of Supplements Containing High-Dose Vitamin A — New YorkState, 1983-1984 (mentions Etretinate)
Current TrendsBirth Defects Caused by Isotretinoin — New Jersey (mentions Etretinate)

Acitretin (Oral)
Soriatane™ (Neotegison in some countries)
New Drug Approvals (April, 1994)
New Drug Approvals (January, 1997)
Roche Psoriasis Drug to Include Depression Warning
Virtual Hospital

Isotretinoin (Oral acne medication, used “off-label” for psoriasis sometimes)
Accutane™ (Sometimes called Roaccutane outside the U.S.)
Accutane/Roaccutane Action Group (Accutane,Depression, and Suicide)
Australian Roaccutane Survivors Group

New Treatments on the Horizon for Psoriasis