What is Alitretinoin used for?
Last updated September 7, 2026.
**Alitretinoin is a vitamin A type retinoid that in the United States is prescribed as a skin gel to treat the lesions of Kaposi sarcoma, while an oral version used in some other countries treats severe chronic hand eczema.** Which use applies to you depends entirely on the form you were given. The 0.1% gel is FDA approved only for cutaneous lesions of Kaposi sarcoma, and it treats the spots you put it on rather than the underlying HIV infection or disease elsewhere in the body. Oral alitretinoin capsules are licensed in the UK and parts of Europe for chronic hand eczema that has not cleared with strong topical steroids, but they are not approved in the US. Both forms can cause birth defects, so anyone who can become pregnant needs reliable contraception and pregnancy testing arranged with the prescriber. Response to the gel is usually gradual, so keep applying as directed and bring photos or notes to your dermatologist, oncologist, or HIV clinician at follow up visits.
What to do
- Confirm which form you have: Check the label to see whether you were prescribed the topical gel or oral capsules, since the uses and monitoring are different.
- Apply only to the lesions: Cover the lesion with enough gel to leave a visible coating and let it dry, keeping it off healthy surrounding skin.
- Skip bandages over the gel: Do not cover treated areas with occlusive dressings, which increase irritation.
- Avoid DEET products: Do not use insect repellents or other products containing DEET while you are using the gel, because DEET can raise its toxicity.
- Plan around pregnancy: Talk with your prescriber about contraception and pregnancy testing before starting, and tell them right away if you might be pregnant.
- Report worsening skin: Contact your clinician if treated skin blisters, weeps, or becomes severely red, since the dose or schedule may need to change.
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