A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z 

Targretin

Brand Names

; Targretin®

Therapeutic Categories

Antineoplastic Agent, Miscellaneous

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

• Do not take if you are pregnant. This medicine can cause birth defects.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to bexarotene or any other part of the medicine.
• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat a certain type of cancer called lymphoma.
• There is a gel used to treat skin problems from cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. It may take up to a year to see the full effects. Some patients respond as early as 4 weeks.

How does it work?

• Bexarotene prevents the growth of certain types of cancers and may help certain growths shrink in size.
• The gel's exact action in treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is unknown.

How is it best taken?

• Take with a meal. This helps more of the medicine get into your system.
• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
• This medicine must be taken exactly as directed. If you have any question check with your healthcare provider.
• Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Take at a similar time everyday.
• The gel is used on the skin only. Start using every other day for the first week. It is increased weekly depending on how you tolerate the gel.
• Do not take by mouth. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
• Wash hands before and after use.
• Allow gel to dry before covering with clothing.
• Avoid applying to normal skin.
• Do not cover with dressings.
• If you apply after bathing then wait 20 minutes before applying.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Do not take extra vitamin A (in a vitamin pill) if taking the oral medicine unless you ask your healthcare provider. Bexarotene is a type of vitamin A. Too much vitamin A can cause liver problems. If using the gel then you can take 4000 to 5000 units of vitamin A orally.
• Use caution if you have liver disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use caution if you have diabetes. Talk with healthcare provider. Keep hard candies, liquid glucose, or milk on hand for low blood sugars.
• Tell healthcare provider if you have high cholesterol or lipids or if you are on a lipid or cholesterol lowering agent. This medicine usually causes an increase in cholesterol and triglycerides.
• You can burn. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
• Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen or like products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E.
• If using the gel, do not use insect repellents containing DEET.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use 2 forms of birth control that you can trust. Start birth control one month before, use during, and for at least one month after stopping medicine.
• If you are male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy. Use a condom. Use during treatment and for 1 month after treatment.
• Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help. Avoid aspirin-containing products.
• Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or flu.
• High cholesterol and/or triglycerides.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Belly pain and diarrhea.
• Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.
• Weakness.
• Rash, dry skin.
• Swelling of the feet and hands.
• Side effects of the gel include redness, burning, irritation of the area.

What should I monitor?

• Watch for change in temperature or worsening of infection.
• If you are diabetic, check blood sugar as ordered by healthcare provider. Check blood work (lipid panel, liver function, complete blood count, thyroid function). Talk with healthcare provider.
• Must get a pregnancy test within 1 week before you start therapy and monthly while using medicine.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
• Fever and/or chills. Other signs of infection.
• Severe headache.
• Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Severe belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow eyes/skin, not hungry. Unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Any rash.
• For the gel, severe rash, itching, irritation and redness.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in tight, light-resistant container at room temperature. Avoid high temperatures and humidity.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).