Oral Treatment of Keratinizing Disorders of Skin and Mucous Membranes With Etretinate

This study examined the effects of the aromatic retinoid etretinate on 113 patients with various skin and mucous membrane disorders, including psoriasis, lichen planus, and keratosis follicularis. Patients received 25 to 100 mg/day of oral etretinate for up to 30 months. The best responses were observed in patients with erythrodermic psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, and keratosis follicularis, while those with psoriasis vulgaris, palmoplantar psoriasis, and lichen planus showed less impressive improvements. Mucous membrane lesions of lichen planus and leukoplakia showed only moderate improvement. Notable adverse reactions included cheilitis (70%), dryness of the mucous membranes (27%), and hair loss (27%).