Acitretin Treatment in London
Acitretin is a specialist oral retinoid used for severe psoriasis and keratinisation disorders. At Skinhorizon Clinic in Maida Vale, treatment is planned carefully by a consultant dermatologist, with safety monitoring, blood tests, pregnancy prevention where relevant, and personalised follow-up.
Reviewed by Dr Mohammad Ghazavi, Consultant Dermatologist. CQC-registered clinic
Private dermatology care in Maida Vale, London. Safety monitored
Blood tests, side-effect review and structured follow-up. Central London access
Convenient for St John’s Wood, Paddington and West London.
What is acitretin?
Acitretin is a prescription oral retinoid, derived from vitamin A, used by dermatologists for severe psoriasis and disorders of keratinisation. It helps normalise skin cell growth and shedding, but it requires careful monitoring, liver and lipid blood tests, and strict pregnancy prevention for anyone who could become pregnant.
Acitretin at a glance
| What is it? | An oral retinoid prescribed for severe psoriasis and disorders of keratinisation. |
|---|---|
| Key indications | Severe plaque psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, palmoplantar psoriasis, pityriasis rubra pilaris, ichthyoses and related conditions. |
| Who is it for? | Adults needing systemic treatment who can commit to monitoring. It is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding. |
| Why it matters | It can be helpful when topicals or phototherapy are insufficient, especially for thick scaling or keratinisation disorders. |
| Monitoring | Regular blood tests, side-effect review, contraception planning where relevant and tailored follow-up. |
| Appointments | 7 days a week (subject to availability). |
Understanding acitretin
Acitretin is a prescription oral retinoid used by dermatologists to treat severe psoriasis and conditions where the outer skin layer grows and sheds abnormally. These are sometimes called keratinisation disorders.
By influencing how skin cells mature and separate, acitretin can help thin overly thick plaques, reduce scaling and improve skin comfort and function. Because it does not directly suppress the immune system, it can be a useful option for selected patients who do not suit some immunosuppressive treatments.
How acitretin works
Normalising growth and shedding
Retinoids bind to receptors in skin cells and influence gene expression. In practical terms, acitretin helps slow excessive skin cell proliferation and encourages more orderly maturation.
Reducing scale and thickness
Over weeks to months, thickened plaques may become thinner, scaling can reduce and painful fissures may heal, especially in conditions affecting the palms and soles.
When we consider acitretin
Severe plaque psoriasis
Especially thick, scaly plaques or palm and sole involvement that has not responded adequately to topical treatment.
Pustular psoriasis
Including selected cases of palmoplantar pustulosis, where retinoid-responsive patterns are present.
Keratinisation disorders
Including some forms of ichthyosis and pityriasis rubra pilaris.
Sometimes acitretin is used alone; in other cases it may be combined with other modalities in a planned sequence. Your consultant dermatologist will tailor this to your condition, skin type, medical history and goals.
Considering systemic treatment for severe psoriasis?
A consultant-led review can help decide whether acitretin, phototherapy, biologics or another treatment pathway is most appropriate for your skin and safety profile.
Who is a good candidate?
Suitability is assessed case by case. Acitretin is generally considered for adults who need systemic treatment and can commit to regular monitoring and pregnancy prevention measures where relevant.
It is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and is avoided in people with significant liver disease, persistently high blood lipids or poorly controlled alcohol intake. If pregnancy is planned in the near future, alternative options are usually more appropriate.
How treatment is started and monitored
Low-dose, measured introduction
Treatment often starts with a modest dose, then adjusts gradually based on response, blood results and side-effects. Taking acitretin with a main meal improves absorption.
History and baseline blood tests
Before starting, we review medical history, medicines, supplements, alcohol intake and pregnancy plans. Baseline blood tests usually include liver function and lipid profile.
Regular follow-up
During treatment, we monitor liver enzymes, lipids, side-effects and treatment response. The dose may be adjusted or paused if needed.
Important safety information
Pregnancy prevention
Acitretin is highly teratogenic and must not be used in pregnancy. Effective contraception, scheduled pregnancy testing and a defined post-treatment avoidance period are essential for anyone who could become pregnant.
Alcohol and liver health
Alcohol can affect retinoid metabolism and liver safety. Your clinician will give clear guidance on alcohol avoidance during treatment and after stopping where relevant.
Vitamin A and retinoids
Do not take vitamin A supplements or other retinoid medicines while taking acitretin unless specifically advised by your prescribing clinician.
Blood donation
Blood donation is avoided during treatment and for a period after stopping, to prevent exposure in pregnant recipients.
Common side-effects and how we manage them
Dryness is the most common effect. Patients may notice dry lips, dry facial skin, flaking, dry eyes or mild nosebleeds. These symptoms are usually managed with bland moisturisers, lip balm, preservative-free lubricating eye drops and dose adjustment when needed.
Retinoids can raise blood lipids or liver enzymes in some patients. This is why regular blood tests and follow-up are an essential part of safe acitretin treatment.
Everyday practical tips
Take with food
Take your capsule with your main meal to support absorption.
Protect dry skin
Use bland moisturisers, lip balm and gentle cleansing to reduce dryness and irritation.
Use sun protection
Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen and shade habits help reduce sensitivity and protect against sun damage.
Acitretin vs other systemic options
Each systemic option for severe skin disease has a different balance of benefits and risks. Compared with immunosuppressants and biologics, acitretin does not broadly suppress immunity, which can be helpful for selected patients.
However, acitretin requires meticulous pregnancy prevention and is not suitable for anyone planning pregnancy in the near future. We discuss the relative pros and cons openly, including speed of response, route of treatment, monitoring and long-term goals.
Results and timelines
In psoriasis and keratinisation disorders, visible improvement usually develops over weeks to a few months. Thick plaques may soften, scale may reduce and fissures may heal.
Some patients maintain improvement on a low dose; others complete a finite course and transition to maintenance with topical treatments, skincare and lifestyle measures.
Why choose Skinhorizon Clinic?
Consultant dermatologist-led care
Your treatment is reviewed by Dr Mohammad Ghazavi, Consultant Dermatologist, with careful attention to diagnosis, monitoring, safety and long-term control.
CQC-registered private clinic
Skinhorizon Clinic provides private dermatology care in Maida Vale, London, convenient for St John’s Wood, Paddington, West London and Central London.
Structured systemic treatment pathway
Our acitretin pathway includes start-low titration, blood test monitoring, clear education, proactive dry-skin support and personalised follow-up.
Your first visit — what to expect
Assessment
Review diagnosis, severity, previous treatments, medical history and treatment goals.
Safety checks
Discuss blood tests, pregnancy prevention where relevant, medication interactions and alcohol guidance.
Treatment plan
Agree dose, skincare support, monitoring schedule and realistic treatment timelines.
Follow-up
Review progress, side-effects, blood results and adjust treatment safely.
Dr Mohammad Ghazavi
Consultant Dermatologist
Skinhorizon Clinic, 4 Clarendon Terrace, Maida Vale, London W9 1BZ.
Last reviewed:
Frequently asked questions
What conditions does acitretin treat?
How long before I see results?
Can I drink alcohol while taking acitretin?
Can I take vitamin A or other retinoids at the same time?
Is pregnancy allowed on acitretin?
What tests are needed?
Can I donate blood?
What if I’m planning a pregnancy soon?
Take the first step towards calmer, healthier skin
A structured consultant-led acitretin plan can help improve severe psoriasis or keratinisation disorders while keeping safety and monitoring central.