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Acitretin (also called U0279)
Acitretin (also called U0279) is a Retinoid Small molecule drug developed by Stiefel, a GSK Company. It is currently FDA-approved for Severe psoriasis, including erythrodermic and pustular forms, Lichen planus, Pityriasis rubra pilaris.
Acitretin is a retinoid that binds to retinoid receptors in the nucleus, modulating gene expression to reduce keratinocyte proliferation and promote differentiation.
Acitretin is a small molecule that acts as a retinoid receptor agonist. It is used to treat severe plaque-type psoriasis, as indicated by clinical trials such as NCT00832364.
At a glance
| Generic name | Acitretin (also called U0279) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Stiefel, a GSK Company |
| Drug class | Retinoid |
| Target | Retinoid X receptor (RXR), Retinoid acid receptor (RAR) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Dermatology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Acitretin is a second-generation retinoid that activates retinoid X receptors (RXR) and retinoid acid receptors (RAR), leading to altered transcription of genes involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. This mechanism reduces the excessive skin cell turnover characteristic of psoriasis and other keratinization disorders, promoting normalization of the epidermis.
Approved indications
- Severe psoriasis, including erythrodermic and pustular forms
- Lichen planus
- Pityriasis rubra pilaris
- Ichthyosis and keratinization disorders
Common side effects
- Mucocutaneous dryness (lips, mouth, skin)
- Cheilitis
- Pruritus
- Peeling and erythema
- Alopecia
- Elevated triglycerides
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Headache
- Photosensitivity
Key clinical trials
- Trial of an Injectable Biologic and U0279 as Combination Therapy for Severe Plaque-Type Psoriasis (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Acitretin (also called U0279) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Acitretin (also called U0279) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Stiefel, a GSK Company portfolio CI
Frequently asked questions about Acitretin (also called U0279)
What is Acitretin (also called U0279)?
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Who makes Acitretin (also called U0279)?
What drug class is Acitretin (also called U0279) in?
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What does Acitretin (also called U0279) target?
Related
- Drug class: All Retinoid drugs
- Target: All drugs targeting Retinoid X receptor (RXR), Retinoid acid receptor (RAR)
- Manufacturer: Stiefel, a GSK Company — full pipeline
- Therapeutic area: All drugs in Dermatology
- Indication: Drugs for Severe psoriasis, including erythrodermic and pustular forms
- Indication: Drugs for Lichen planus
- Indication: Drugs for Pityriasis rubra pilaris
Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing