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Tretinoin Oral
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
TRETINOIN – ORAL
(tret-ih-NO-in)
COMMON BRAND NAME: Vesanoid
WARNING: Tretinoin can cause severe (sometimes fatal) side effects. Therefore, it must be used only under close medical supervision. Notify your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: fever, breathing trouble, weight gain, dizziness, chest pain, unusual fatigue, or persistent sore throat. It may be necessary for your doctor to use other medications with tretinoin to reduce the chance of side effects. This medication can cause severe birth defects when used during pregnancy. Therefore women who are pregnant must not use tretinoin. Women must avoid becoming pregnant while taking this drug. Females – Pregnancy tests should be run one week before starting use of this drug. Use two effective forms of birth control together (or complete avoidance of sexual intercourse) while using this drug and for one month after tretinoin use has been stopped. You must also have monthly pregnancy testing and contraception counseling from your doctor while taking this medication.
USES: Tretinoin is used to treat certain types of leukemia.
HOW TO USE: Take this by mouth exactly as directed usually twice a day. It may be taken with food. Follow your dosing instructions closely. Do not increase your dose or take this more often than directed. Your condition will not improve faster but the risk of side effects will be increased.
SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, weakness, fatigue, dry skin, nausea, itching, bone pain and dizziness may occur. If these symptoms continue or become severe, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience: fever, weight gain, wheezing, chest pain, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, vision changes, hearing trouble, painful urination. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking this, inform your doctor of: other illnesses, allergies (especially drug allergies; including parabens preservatives). It is recommended that persons using this medication not donate blood for at least three years after stopping therapy and with your doctor’s approval. This will prevent the possibility of your blood being given to a pregnant woman. Use 2 reliable forms of birth control together (or complete avoidance of sexual intercourse), during treatment and for at least one month after stopping the drug. Semen may pose a risk to a pregnant woman if the male is using this drug. Consult your doctor. This medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. (See also Warning section) It is not known if this drug is excreted into breast milk. Because of the possibility of serious effects to the infant, breast-feeding should be stopped before using this drug. Consult your doctor.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of any nonprescription or prescription medication you may take, particularly: ketoconazole. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe headache or dizziness; stomach pain, flushing, or loss of coordination.
NOTES: Keep all doctor appointments and scheduled laboratory tests as your condition will be monitored closely.
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-up” the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) away from heat and moisture as directed. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.