tretinoin – oral, Vesanoid
WARNING: Tretinoin may cause serious side effects. It must be used only under close medical supervision. Some patients may develop a life-threatening syndrome during the first month of treatment. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience fever, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness, weight gain, swelling of the arms/legs/ankles/feet, dizziness, or fainting. Other medications may be given to treat these side effects. Your doctor will also monitor your white blood cell count. This medication can cause severe birth defects if used during pregnancy. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It is important to prevent pregnancy while taking this drug. Pregnancy tests should be done one week before starting treatment. As soon as treatment begins, use two effective forms of birth control together or avoid sexual intercourse completely. Do not use "mini-pills" because they may not work as well while taking tretinoin. Monthly pregnancy testing and birth control counseling from your doctor are required while taking this medication. Continue using birth control until one month after stopping tretinoin.
USES: Tretinoin is used with other medications to treat a type of cancer of the white blood cells called APL-acute promyelocytic leukemia. APL is a disease of too many white blood cells that do not mature or function properly. This medication lessens the signs and severity of this disease. Further treatment after remission will be determined by your doctor. Tretinoin promotes the growth of normal, mature cells in the bone marrow and blood. It helps reverse symptoms of APL such as infections, tiredness, and bleeding. Tretinoin belongs to a class of drugs known as retinoids, related to vitamin A.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth, usually twice a day or as directed by your doctor. It may be taken with food. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Take it at the same times each day. The dosage is based on your medical condition, body size, and response to therapy. Follow your doctor’s directions for how long to take this medication. Do not increase your dose or take it more often without your doctor’s approval. Your condition will not improve any faster and the risk of serious side effects may be increased. Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not handle this medication.
SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, dizziness, fever, weakness, tiredness, dry mouth, dry skin, other skin changes, thinning hair, nausea, vomiting, itching, bone pain, mouth sores, increased sweating, and earache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Headache may occur several hours after taking a dose. Mild pain medications usually help relieve these headaches. To relieve dry mouth, suck on sugarless hard candy or ice chips, chew sugarless gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute. Tell your doctor immediately if any serious side effects occur, including stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, hearing problems, change in the amount of urine, mental/mood changes, and fast/slow/irregular heartbeat. Seek immediate medical attention if any rare but very serious side effects occur, such as severe headache, persistent nausea/vomiting, vision changes, chest pain, jaw/left arm pain, trouble breathing, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, confusion, and pain/redness/swelling of arms/legs. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking tretinoin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it, vitamin A or related drugs, or have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of liver disease and high cholesterol/triglycerides. This drug may cause dizziness, severe headaches, or vision changes. Do not drive or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Children may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially if they are also taking tetracycline medication. Do not donate blood while taking this medication and for at least 1 month after stopping. This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the risk of birth defects and harm to an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Use two effective forms of birth control together to prevent pregnancy. It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended.
QUESTION
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. This drug should not be used with vitamin A. Tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially drugs that prevent bleeding, hydroxyurea, ketoconazole, "mini-pill", tetracyclines, and sulfisoxazole containing drugs. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center. Canadian residents can call a provincial poison control center.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests should be performed to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
Report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution.
CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
