Bexarotene (Systemic)
Brand Names : Targretin
Precautions While Using This MedicineIt is very important that your doctor check your progress at
regular visits
to make sure that this medicine is working properly
and to check for unwanted effects.
While you are being treated with bexarotene, and after you stop treatment
with it, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations)
without your doctor's approval
. Bexarotene may lower your body's resistance,
and there is a chance you might get the infection that the immunization is
meant to prevent. In addition, other persons living in your household should
not take oral polio vaccine, since there is a chance they could pass the polio
virus on to you. Also, avoid persons who have taken oral polio vaccine within
the last several months. Do not get close to them, and do not stay in the
room with them for very long. If you cannot take these precautions, you should
consider wearing a protective face mask that covers the nose and mouth.
Bexarotene can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your
blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the
number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this
occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood
count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:
-
If you can, avoid people with infections. Check
with your doctor immediately
if you think you are getting an infection
or if you get a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain,
or painful or difficult urination.
-
Check with your doctor immediately
if
you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising; black, tarry stools; blood in
urine or stools; or pinpoint red spots on your skin.
-
Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or toothpick.
Your medical doctor, dentist, or nurse may recommend other ways to clean your
teeth and gums. Check with your medical doctor before having any dental work
done.
-
Do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose unless you have
just washed your hands and have not touched anything else in the meantime.
-
Be careful not to cut yourself when you are using sharp objects such
as a safety razor or fingernail or toenail cutters.
-
Avoid contact sports or other situations where bruising or injury
could occur.
Bexarotene may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it
is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause
a skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin, or a severe
sunburn. When you begin taking this medicine:
-
Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00
a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible.
-
Wear protective clothing, including a hat. Also, wear sunglasses.
-
Apply a sun block product that has a skin protection factor (SPF)
of at least 15. Some patients may require a product with a higher SPF number,
especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about
this, check with your health care professional.
-
Apply a sun block lipstick that has an SPF of at least 15 to protect
your lips.
-
Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.
|