What is the difference between Acitretin and Tretinoin?

Acitretin and Tretinoin are both Retinoids, so they work through the same broad mechanism. They differ in dosing, half-life, side-effect frequency, and how individual patients tolerate them. See the head-to-head sections below for the specifics.

Is Acitretin the same as Tretinoin?

No. Acitretin (Acitretin) and Tretinoin (Tretinoin) are distinct medications. They are sometimes confused because of similar branding or because they treat overlapping conditions, but they have different active ingredients and different safety profiles.

Which has fewer side effects, Acitretin or Tretinoin?

Side-effect frequency varies by individual. The side-effect comparison section on this page shows FAERS-reported events for each drug side by side. FAERS is voluntary reporting, so it reflects what patients and clinicians chose to report, not absolute population risk.

Can I switch from Acitretin to Tretinoin?

Switching medications should always be done under prescriber supervision. The "patient stories" section on this page includes accounts from people who have made the switch and what their transition felt like, but those are individual experiences, not protocols.

Acitretin vs Tretinoin

Compare Acitretin (Acitretin) and Tretinoin (Tretinoin), clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

Acitretin

Acitretin · Retinoid

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Acitretin Capsules

USP are indicated for the treatment of severe psoriasis in adults. Because of significant adverse effects associated with its use

Acitretin Capsules

USP should be prescribed only by those knowledgeable in the systemic use of retinoids. In females of reproductive potential

OralTablet

Tretinoin

Tretinoin, Retin-A, Retina · Retinoid

How it works

12.1 Mechanism of Action Tretinoin induces cytodifferentiation and decreased proliferation of APL cells in culture and in vivo . In APL patients, tretinoin treatment produces an in...

Approved for

17) translocation or PML/RARα gene expression

characterized by presence of t(15

17) translocation or presence of PML/RARα gene expression

and who are refractory to or who have relapsed from anthracycline chemotherapy or for whom anthracycline-based chemotherapy is contraindicated.

OralTablet

Quick Comparison

AcitretinTretinoin

Drug Class

Retinoid

Route

Oral

Half-Life

N/A

FDA Approved

N/A

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

Acitretin

Drug Not Working

>10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Itching

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Headache

0.1-1%

Fever

0.1-1%

General Unwellness

0.1-1%

Diarrhea

0.1-1%

Tretinoin

Drug Not Working

>10%

Vomiting

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Rash

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Condition Worsened

1-10%

Tingling/Numbness

1-10%

Diarrhea

1-10%

FDA Warnings

Acitretin

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND WARNINGS: Pregnancy Acitretin must not be used by females who are pregnant, or who intend to become pregnant during therapy or at any time for at least 3 years following discontinuation of therapy
Acitretin should be prescribed only by those who have special competence in the diagnosis and treatment of severe psoriasis, are experienced in the use of systemic retinoids, and understand the risk of teratogenicity
, P regnancy P revention is E ssential with T reatment, has been developed to educate women of childbearing potential and their healthcare providers about the serious risks associated with acitretin and to help prevent pregnancies from occurring with the use of this drug and for 3 years after its discontinuation
Acitretin is contraindicated in females of reproductive potential unless the patient meets ALL of the following conditions : Must have had 2 negative urine or serum pregnancy tests with a sensitivity of at least 25 mIU per mL before receiving the initial prescription for acitretin

Tretinoin

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Patients Without t(15;17) Translocation or PML/RARα Fusion: Tretinoin capsules may be initiated based on morphological diagnosis of APL
3 ) • Leukocytosis: Consider administering cytoreductive chemotherapy (including an anthracycline if not contraindicated or hydroxyurea) with tretinoin capsules in the setting of leukocytosis, as clinically indicated
Tretinoin capsules are a retinoid and there is an increased risk of major congenital malformations, spontaneous abortions and premature births following exposure to retinoids during pregnancy in humans
Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for Acitretin vs Tretinoin.

Acitretin vs Tretinoin: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Both Acitretin and Tretinoin belong to the Retinoid class. While they share a similar mechanism of action, differences in pharmacokinetics, dosing, and side effect profiles may make one more suitable than the other for individual patients.

Safety Considerations

Acitretin carries 4 FDA warnings. Tretinoin carries 4 FDA warnings. Patients should discuss all warnings and contraindications with their healthcare provider before starting or switching medications..

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Related Comparisons

Isotretinoin vs Tretinoin→Acitretin vs Isotretinoin→Alitretinoin vs Tretinoin→Acitretin vs Alitretinoin→Clindamycin Phosphate And Tretinoin Gel 1.2% vs Tretinoin→Tretinoin vs Tretinoin And Benzoyl Peroxide→

Primary sources

Every figure on this comparison links back to its primary source. See data sources and methodology for the full provenance trail.

Acitretin: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov
Tretinoin: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov

Loading comparison data...

Acitretin vs Tretinoin

Compare Acitretin (Acitretin) and Tretinoin (Tretinoin), clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

Acitretin

Acitretin · Retinoid

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Acitretin Capsules

USP are indicated for the treatment of severe psoriasis in adults. Because of significant adverse effects associated with its use

Acitretin Capsules

USP should be prescribed only by those knowledgeable in the systemic use of retinoids. In females of reproductive potential

OralTablet

Tretinoin

Tretinoin, Retin-A, Retina · Retinoid

How it works

12.1 Mechanism of Action Tretinoin induces cytodifferentiation and decreased proliferation of APL cells in culture and in vivo . In APL patients, tretinoin treatment produces an in...

Approved for

17) translocation or PML/RARα gene expression

characterized by presence of t(15

17) translocation or presence of PML/RARα gene expression

and who are refractory to or who have relapsed from anthracycline chemotherapy or for whom anthracycline-based chemotherapy is contraindicated.

OralTablet

Quick Comparison

AcitretinTretinoin

Drug Class

Retinoid

Route

Oral

Half-Life

N/A

FDA Approved

N/A

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

Acitretin

Drug Not Working

>10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Itching

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Headache

0.1-1%

Fever

0.1-1%

General Unwellness

0.1-1%

Diarrhea

0.1-1%

Tretinoin

Drug Not Working

>10%

Vomiting

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Rash

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Condition Worsened

1-10%

Tingling/Numbness

1-10%

Diarrhea

1-10%

FDA Warnings

Acitretin

CONTRAINDICATIONS AND WARNINGS: Pregnancy Acitretin must not be used by females who are pregnant, or who intend to become pregnant during therapy or at any time for at least 3 years following discontinuation of therapy
Acitretin should be prescribed only by those who have special competence in the diagnosis and treatment of severe psoriasis, are experienced in the use of systemic retinoids, and understand the risk of teratogenicity
, P regnancy P revention is E ssential with T reatment, has been developed to educate women of childbearing potential and their healthcare providers about the serious risks associated with acitretin and to help prevent pregnancies from occurring with the use of this drug and for 3 years after its discontinuation
Acitretin is contraindicated in females of reproductive potential unless the patient meets ALL of the following conditions : Must have had 2 negative urine or serum pregnancy tests with a sensitivity of at least 25 mIU per mL before receiving the initial prescription for acitretin

Tretinoin

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Patients Without t(15;17) Translocation or PML/RARα Fusion: Tretinoin capsules may be initiated based on morphological diagnosis of APL
3 ) • Leukocytosis: Consider administering cytoreductive chemotherapy (including an anthracycline if not contraindicated or hydroxyurea) with tretinoin capsules in the setting of leukocytosis, as clinically indicated
Tretinoin capsules are a retinoid and there is an increased risk of major congenital malformations, spontaneous abortions and premature births following exposure to retinoids during pregnancy in humans
Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for Acitretin vs Tretinoin.

Acitretin vs Tretinoin: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Safety Considerations

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.