Soricap 25 mg Capsule (1 Strip=7 Pieces)
Original price was: 595.00৳ .565.25৳ Current price is: 565.25৳ .
Soricap 25 mg contains acitretin, an oral retinoid related to vitamin A. It treats severe skin disorders where the skin produces too many cells or builds up abnormally, such as severe psoriasis and inherited keratinisation disorders. Acitretin brings skin cell growth and shedding back to normal and reduces inflammation, which helps clear thick, scaly plaques. It does not suppress the immune system. Acitretin causes serious birth defects, so women who could become pregnant may only use it under strict pregnancy-prevention conditions.
Indications
- Severe, extensive psoriasis that hasn’t responded to other treatments
- Palmo-plantar pustular psoriasis (pustular psoriasis of the palms and soles)
- Severe congenital ichthyosis
- Severe Darier’s disease (keratosis follicularis)
How it works
Acitretin binds to retinoid receptors inside skin cells and regulates the genes that control cell growth and maturation. In psoriasis, it slows the overproduction of skin cells, normalises how they mature, and reduces inflammation in the skin. This leads to thinner plaques, less scaling and less redness. Improvement usually starts within 2–4 weeks, and full benefit is often seen after 2–3 months.
Dosage and administration
Prescribe and supervise only by a physician experienced in oral retinoids, preferably a dermatologist. Doses vary widely between patients and are adjusted to response and tolerance.
How to take:
- Take once daily with a meal or with milk. This improves absorption.
- Swallow the capsule whole.
- Psoriasis may get worse at first. This is usually temporary.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy, or possible pregnancy
- Women of childbearing potential unless they use strict, effective contraception from 4 weeks before treatment, during treatment, and for 2 years after stopping
- Breastfeeding
- Severe liver or kidney impairment
- Persistently high blood lipids (cholesterol or triglycerides)
- Taking it with methotrexate, tetracyclines, vitamin A or other retinoids
- Hypersensitivity to acitretin, other retinoids, or any ingredient of the capsule
Side effects
Most patients get some side effects. They are usually dose-related and reversible when the dose is lowered or treatment stops.
Very common:
- Dry, cracked lips (cheilitis)
- Dry skin, itching, peeling of the palms and soles
- Dry nose, nosebleeds
- Dry, irritated eyes
- Hair thinning or hair loss
- Fragile nails, nail-fold inflammation
- Raised blood lipids
Common:
- Thirst, dry mouth, mouth inflammation
- Joint and muscle pain
- Headache
- Raised liver enzymes
- Sticky or fragile skin
- Nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea
Rare or serious:
- Hepatitis or jaundice
- Raised pressure in the skull (severe headache, blurred vision)
- Reduced night vision
- Bone changes with long-term use
Drug interactions
- Methotrexate: Raised risk of liver damage. Do not use together.
- Tetracyclines (doxycycline, minocycline): Raised risk of increased pressure in the skull. Do not use together.
- Vitamin A and other retinoids (including isotretinoin): Risk of vitamin A toxicity. Do not use together.
- Alcohol: Forms etretinate, which prolongs the risk of birth defects.
- Progesterone-only “mini-pills”: May not give enough contraceptive protection. Use more effective contraception.
- Phenytoin: Acitretin may change phenytoin levels.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Pregnancy: Strictly contraindicated. Acitretin is highly teratogenic. Pregnancy must be avoided during treatment and for 2 years after the last dose.
- Breastfeeding: Contraindicated. Acitretin passes into breast milk.
Overdose
Signs of acute overdose are those of vitamin A toxicity: headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, drowsiness, irritability and itching. Seek medical help. In a woman of childbearing potential, a pregnancy test should be done.
Storage
Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place, protected from light. Keep out of the reach of children. Return any unused capsules to the pharmacy. Do not share them with others.
