NutriStack
Acitretin and Fish Oil, a synergy.
Acitretin can raise triglycerides, and fish oil may help reduce retinoid-associated hypertriglyceridemia. Direct evidence is strongest for isotretinoin and etretinate, while acitretin is closely related to etretinate and is monitored for the same lipid problem. This is adjunctive lipid support and should not replace dose adjustment or prescription lipid therapy when triglycerides are high.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Pair type
- Synergy
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Emerging
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Synergy · Emerging evidence
Synergy
What is happening. Acitretin can raise triglycerides, and fish oil may help reduce retinoid-associated hypertriglyceridemia. Direct evidence is strongest for isotretinoin and etretinate, while acitretin is closely related to etretinate and is monitored for the same lipid problem. This is adjunctive lipid support and should not replace dose adjustment or prescription lipid therapy when triglycerides are high.
Mechanism. Marine omega-3 fatty acids reduce hepatic VLDL triglyceride production and improve triglyceride clearance. This can counter the triglyceride elevations seen with systemic retinoids, including aromatic retinoids related to acitretin.
Recommendation. Fish oil is a reasonable option to discuss if triglycerides rise on acitretin. Continue fasting lipid monitoring and follow your dermatologist's plan for dose changes if levels become unsafe. Avoid very high fish oil doses if you have bleeding risk or take anticoagulants.
Sources (2)
- Marsden JR. Effect of dietary fish oil on hyperlipidaemia due to isotretinoin and etretinate. Hum Toxicol. 1987;6(3):219-222. PMID 2954894
- Ormerod AD, Campalani E, Goodfield MJ, et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines on the efficacy and use of acitretin in dermatology. Br J Dermatol. 2010;162(5):952-963. PMID 20423353
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Acitretin and Fish Oil are in the same stack, this pair applies +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
Check your full routine
One pair was the worked example. NutriStack runs every pair in your stack at once.
Drop in your supplements and prescriptions and the public database surfaces every interaction, synergy, timing rule, and contraindication, every one linked to its primary source.