Acitretin is a second-generation systemic retinoid developed in the 1980s as an improvement over earlier retinoids like etretinate, offering a shorter half-life and fewer long-term side effects. It is a synthetic analog of vitamin A primarily used to treat severe plaque psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, and other disorders of keratinization. Acitretin works by regulating epidermal cell differentiation and reducing inflammation, helping to normalize skin growth. Due to its potent teratogenic effects, it is prescribed with strict precautions, particularly for women of childbearing age, and is often used as part of long-term dermatological management.
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