Case Report

Acitretin-associated erectile dysfunction: a case report

Marco Rossi^1,2 and Michele Pellegrino³

¹  Department of Pharmacology "Giorgio Segre", University of Siena, Strada delle Scotte 6, 53100 Siena, Italy

²  Tuscan Regional Center for Pharmacovigilance, Florence, Italy

³  Department of Dermatological Sciences, Department of Clinical Medicine and Immunological Sciences, University of Siena, Policlinico S. Maria alle Scotte, 53100 Siena, Italy

author email corresponding author email

Cases Journal 2009, 2:210doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-210

Published:	19 November 2009

Abstract

Introduction

Two cases of impotence following a treatment with etretinate have been reported in the literature. Acitretin is the principal active metabolite of etretinate. We report a case of erectile dysfunction associated with the use of acitretin.

Case presentation

A 39-year-old Caucasian man referred his incapacity to reach and maintain a penile erection during a course of acitretin for the treatment of a severe form of psoriasis. Physical examination, laboratory findings and psychological analysis did not reveal any abnormalities. Two weeks after the withdrawal of acitretin, the patient reported a normalization of his sexual activity.

Conclusion

Retinoids have been associated with male reproductive system dysfunctions in human and animal studies. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of acitretin-induced erectile dysfunction.