In the United States, topical alitretinoin is indicated for the treatment of skin lesions in AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.

[5] In May 2009 the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued preliminary guidance[6] on the use of alitretinoin for the treatment of severe chronic hand eczema in adults.

The recommendation stated that only patients with severe chronic hand eczema who are unresponsive to potent topical corticosteroids, oral immunosuppressants or phototherapy should receive the drug.

Patients who are allergic to peanut, soya or with rare hereditary fructose intolerance should not take this medicine.

The adverse effects observed were consistent with retinoid toxicity, and included severe headache, diarrhoea, facial flushing and hypertriglyceridemia.