(Brand name Acetretin), with its CAS registry number , has its systematic name of 2,4,6,8-Nonatetraenoic acid, 3,7-dimethyl-9-(4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylphenyl)-, (all-E)-. This product belongs to the category of Keratolytic Agents, and it is an oral retinoid which is effective in the treatment of psoriasis. And it is the major metabolite of etretinate with the advantage of a much shorter half-life when compared with etretinate.

Following are the detailed information of Acitretin:
1). Indication of Acitretin: For the treatment of severe psoriasis in adults.
2). Pharmacodynamics of Acitretin: Acitretin is a retinoid. Retinoids have a structure similar to vitamin A and are involved in the normal growth of skin cells. Acitretin works by inhibiting the excessive cell growth and keratinisation (process by which skin cells become thickened due to the deposition of a protein within them) seen in psoriasis. It therefore reduces the thickening of the skin, plaque formation and scaling.
3). Mechanism of action: The mechanism of action of acitretin is unknown, however it is believed to work by targeting specific receptors (retinoid receptors such as RXR and RAR) in the skin which help normalize the growth cycle of skin cells.
4). Absorption of Acitretin: Oral absorption of acitretin is optimal when given with food, and is linear and proportional with increasing doses from 25 to 100 mg. Approximately 72% (range 47% to 109%) of the administered dose was absorbed after a single 50 mg dose of acitretin was given to 12 healthy subjects.