Soriatane (acitretin), a new oral retinoid for severe psoriasis

    Roche is introducing Soriatane (acitretin), a new oral retinoid for severe psoriasis.

    Soriatane is the active metabolite of Tegison (etretinate).

   It's eliminated faster from the body. Tegison takes several YEARS to be eliminated...Soriatane takes only several MONTHS.

    A faster clearance may be safer...especially for women, because these drugs are teratogenic.

    But there's a hitch. If a patient drinks alcohol while taking Soriatane, some of the Soriatane can be converted BACK to Tegison...which then lingers in the body.

    Both Soriatane and Tegison have a boxed warning about avoiding pregnancy during therapy...and for a long time afterwards. For Soriatane, it's three years...for Tegison it's INDEFINITELY.

    Warn women NOT to drink alcohol while taking Soriatane...and for two months after stopping the drug. This includes cough syrups, herbal extracts, and other preparations that contain alcohol.