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Psoriasis — SCE Dermatology MCQ

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HardDermatopharmacologyPsoriasisSCE Dermatology

A man taking acitretin for Darier disease asks about donating blood after stopping and whether his partner needs an acitretin-specific contraception period because of seminal exposure. What is correct?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — He must avoid blood donation for three years; no partner contraception rule arises from his treatment

Explanation lettering: D = shown as A · A = shown as B · B = shown as C · C = shown as D

A is correct. Acitretin can be converted to the long-lived retinoid etretinate, particularly with alcohol exposure, so blood donation is prohibited during treatment and for three years afterwards in men and women. This protects a pregnant transfusion recipient. The amount of acitretin in semen is considered too low to create a specific contraception requirement for the female partner of a treated man. The three-year pregnancy-prevention programme applies to a woman who takes acitretin herself. Liver-test normality does not shorten the donation restriction.

Reference: Acitretin 25 mg capsules Summary of Product Characteristics: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5264/smpc