Bexarotene (Topical)

Brand Names : Targretin

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For bexarotene, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to bexarotene or to other retinoids (vitamin A) preparations. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Bexarotene must not be used during pregnancy because of the possible risks of birth defects to the infant. In addition, bexarotene must not be used if there is a chance that you may become pregnant 1 month before treatment, during treatment, and within 1 month after treatment is ended. Women who are able to have children must have a pregnancy test done within 1 week before starting bexarotene, to make sure they are not pregnant. The pregnancy test must be repeated once a month during treatment. You must use two effective forms of birth control at the same time for 1 month before treatment with bexarotene, during treatment, and for 1 month after treatment is over or abstain from having intercourse. Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Male patients with sexual partners who are pregnant, or who could become pregnant must use condoms during sexual intercourse while using bexarotene and for at least 1 month after using the last dose.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether bexarotene is passed into breast milk. However, bexarotene use is not recommended during breast-feeding, because it may cause unwanted effects to the nursing baby.

Children - Studies of this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of bexarotene in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - This medicine has been tested in patients 65 years of age or older and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults. However, elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of bexarotene.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking bexarotene, it is especially important that your health care professionals know if you are using any of the following:

• Insect repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) (e.g., Off Insect repellant) - using the insect repellant while using bexarotene can cause you to absorb the repellant through your skin and enter your blood stream in high amounts.
• Vitamin A supplements (e.g., Aquasol A) - May increase the chance of side effects

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of bexarotene. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease - May increase the risk of side effects
• Liver disease - Effects of bexarotene may be increased because of slower removal from the body
• Photosensitivity - Bexarotene may cause increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight