What is RePUVA?

RePUVA treatment uses an oral retinoid (usually acitretin) and PUVA in combination. Studies suggest that this therapeutic combination offers a practical way to clear psoriasis (with an overall response rate of 73%) with less cumulative UVA exposure than PUVA alone. Additionally, RePUVA can be successfully applied in patients resistant to standard PUVA. Patients receiving acitretin plus PUVA clear 40% faster than those treated with PUVA alone, even though the UVA dose is reduced by 50%. Most commonly, the oral acitretin is begun 7 to 10 days before the first PUVA treatment, and the two therapies are given concurrently until 100% clearing occurs. The acitretin is usually discontinued, and the patient is maintained on PUVA for about 2 months. Retinoids may also be used in combination with BBUVB and NBUVB.