What side effects can this medication cause?

You may experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) while you are taking this medication. Your doctor will tell you what you should do if you develop hypoglycemia. He or she may tell you to check your blood sugar, eat or drink a food or beverage that contains sugar, such as hard candy or fruit juice, or get medical care. Follow these directions carefully if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia:

• shakiness
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• sweating
• nervousness or irritability
• sudden changes in behavior or mood
• headache
• numbness or tingling around the mouth
• weakness
• pale skin
• hunger
• clumsy or jerky movements

If hypoglycemia is not treated, severe symptoms may develop. Be sure that your family, friends, and other people who spend time with you know that if you have any of the following symptoms, they should get medical treatment for you immediately.

• confusion
• seizures
• loss of consciousness

Acitretin can also cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of hyperglycemia:

• extreme thirst
• frequent urination
• extreme hunger
• weakness
• blurred vision

If high blood sugar is not treated, a serious, life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis could develop. Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the these symptoms:

• dry mouth
• upset stomach and vomiting
• shortness of breath
• breath that smells fruity
• decreased consciousness

Acitretin may cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• peeling, dry, itchy, scaling, cracked, blistered, sticky or infected skin
• brittle or weak fingernails and toenails
• dandruff
• sunburn
• abnormal skin odor
• excessive sweating
• hair loss
• changes in hair texture
• dry eyes
• loss of eyebrows or eyelashes
• hot flashes or flushing
• weak nails
• chapped or swollen lips
• swollen or bleeding gums
• excessive saliva
• tongue pain, swelling, or blistering
• mouth swelling or blisters
• stomach pain
• diarrhea
• increased appetite
• difficulty falling or staying asleep
• sinus infection
• runny nose
• dry nose
• nosebleed
• joint pain
• tight muscles

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• rash
• headache
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• blurred vision
• pain, swelling, or redness of eyes or eyelids
• eye pain
• eyes sensitive to light
• swelling of hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• redness or swelling in one leg only
• depression
• thoughts of hurting or killing yourself
• bone, muscle, or back pain
• difficulty moving any part of your body
• loss of feeling in hands or feet
• chest pain
• slow or difficult speech
• rash
• tingling in arms and legs
• loss of muscle tone
• weakness or heaviness in legs
• confusion
• cold, gray skin
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• pale skin
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• weakness
• shortness of breath

Acitretin may cause bone problems and slowing or stopping of growth in children. Talk to your child's doctor about the risks of giving this medication to your child.

Acitretin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm or by phone 1-800-332-1088.