What it is used for
- Severe extensive psoriasis or psoriasis resistant to other treatments
- Pustular psoriasis of the hands and feet
- Severe inherited ichthyosis and selected severe keratinisation disorders
- Other serious skin conditions selected by a dermatology specialist
How it is used
- Swallow the capsule whole with food or milk as prescribed by the dermatology specialist
- Do not change or stop treatment without discussing it with the specialist team
- Attend pregnancy, liver, lipid, glucose and other tests according to the monitoring plan
- Never share the medicine and return unused capsules to a pharmacy
Possible side effects
- Dry, cracked lips and skin and dry eyes or nose
- Hair loss or brittle nails
- Raised blood lipids or changes in liver function
- Muscle, joint or bone pain
- Headache or vision changes, particularly reduced night vision
Who should not use it
- Pregnancy or pregnancy potential without full adherence to the pregnancy-prevention programme
- Breastfeeding
- Severe liver or kidney disease or persistently very high blood lipids
- Use of methotrexate, tetracyclines, vitamin A or another retinoid
Before and while using it
- It can cause severe birth defects; follow the pregnancy-prevention programme and testing for the full period specified after stopping
- Do not donate blood during treatment or for the period required by the programme afterwards
- Avoid alcohol because it can prolong persistence of a related substance in the body
- Protect your skin from sunlight and report severe headache, vomiting or sudden vision change
- Tell your clinician promptly about yellow skin, severe abdominal pain or marked mood changes
- Dry eyes may make contact lenses difficult to wear and night vision may worsen
Medicine interactions
- Methotrexate increases the risk of liver injury
- Tetracyclines can increase pressure inside the skull
- Vitamin A and other retinoids increase toxicity
- Some hormonal contraceptives are not adequate on their own; follow the specialist prevention programme
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- It is strictly contraindicated in pregnancy and requires effective contraception and testing before, during and for the prolonged programme-defined period after treatment
- It is contraindicated during breastfeeding
How to store it
- Keep in the original pack away from moisture, heat and children's reach, and return unused capsules to a pharmacy
Get medical help straight away if
- Your face, lips or tongue swell, or you find it hard to breathe.
- You get a severe rash, blistering or peeling skin.
- A side effect worries you or doesn’t go away: contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions about this medicine?
Talk to a doctor by video, or send your question by text.
Source: Standard international medicine references
This guide is general information and doesn’t replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t start, stop or change a medicine without asking them, and always read the leaflet in the pack.