What is Targretin (Bexarotene)?
The exact way bexarotene works is unknown, but it is believed to inhibit the growth of tumor cells.
Bexarotene is used to treat skin lesions of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in patients who have not responded to or not tolerated other therapies.
Bexarotene may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Targretin (Bexarotene)?
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light (e.g. sunlamps). Bexarotene may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
Do not take bexarotene if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant. Bexarotene is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that bexarotene will cause birth defects in an unborn baby. You must take a pregnancy test and have negative results within one week before starting treatment with bexarotene, and a pregnancy test should be repeated monthly during treatment. Bexarotene should be started on the second or third day of a normal menstrual period. Also, you will need to use two reliable forms of birth control at the same time for one month before starting treatment with bexarotene, during treatment with bexarotene, and for at least 1 month following the end of your treatment. If you become pregnant, stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual period, immediately stop taking bexarotene and notify your doctor. Men taking bexarotene with sexual partners who are pregnant, possibly pregnant, or who could become pregnant, must use condoms during sexual intercourse while using bexarotene and for at least one month after the last dose of bexarotene.
Swallow each capsule whole. Do not chew them, dissolve them in liquid, or allow them to dissolve in your mouth.
Your doctor will want to monitor the levels of lipids (triglycerides and cholesterol) and thyroid hormones in your blood periodically during treatment with bexarotene. Treatment may be necessary if your cholesterol or triglyceride levels become elevated, or if your thyroid hormone levels are low.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with bexarotene. The interaction could have potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Targretin (Bexarotene)?
Do not take bexarotene without first talking to your doctor if you
- are allergic to other retinoids such as isotretinoin (Accutane), acitretin (Soriatane), etretinate (Tegison), or tretinoin (Vesinoid)
- have or ever have had pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- have high triglyceride levels in your blood
- have diabetes mellitus
- have or ever have had gall bladder disease
- have or ever have had liver disease
- regularly drink alcohol
- are taking gemfibrozil (Lopid)
- are taking any prescription medication especially for fungal infections, bacterial infections, diabetes, or seizures; or,
- eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice
You may not be able to take bexarotene, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions, or are taking any of the medications listed above.
Do not take bexarotene if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant. Bexarotene is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that bexarotene will cause birth defects in an unborn baby. You must take a pregnancy test and have negative results within one week before starting treatment with bexarotene, and a pregnancy test should be repeated monthly during treatment. Bexarotene should be started on the second or third day of a normal menstrual period. Also, you will need to use two reliable forms of birth control at the same time for one month before starting treatment with bexarotene, during treatment with bexarotene, and for at least 1 month following the end of your treatment. If you become pregnant, stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual period, immediately stop taking bexarotene and notify your doctor. Men taking bexarotene with sexual partners who are pregnant, possibly pregnant, or who could become pregnant, must use condoms during sexual intercourse while using bexarotene and for at least one month after the last dose of bexarotene.
It is not known whether bexarotene passes into breast milk. Do not take bexarotene without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Targretin Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Targretin (Bexarotene)?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking bexarotene and seek emergency medical attention:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
- symptoms of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) such as persistent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal or back pain
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take bexarotene and talk to your doctor if you experience:
- an increase in fats in the blood (blood lipids) such as cholesterol or triglycerides (blood tests will detect this)
- a underactive thyroid (blood tests will detect this)
- blood problems
- headache
- fatigue
- weakness or loss of strength
- swelling
- rash
- dry skin
- infections
- nausea; or
- diarrhea
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Targretin Interactions
What other drugs affect Targretin (Bexarotene)?
Vitamin A may increase side effects when taking bexarotene. Limit your use of vitamin A supplements to not more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 4000 to 5000 International Units (IU) a day. If you take vitamins, check the label to see how much vitamin A they contain. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not take bexarotene without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
- gemfibrozil (Lopid)
- ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox)
- erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, Ilosone, others)
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
- phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)
- phenytoin (Dilantin, others); or
- a diabetes medicine such as insulin, glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolbutamide (Orinase), tolazamide (Tolinase), glimepiride (Amaryl), rosiglitazone (Avandia), pioglitazone (Actos), metformin (Glucophage), and others
You may not be able to take bexarotene, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with bexarotene. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
What should I avoid while taking Targretin (Bexarotene)?
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light (e.g. sunlamps). Bexarotene may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
Vitamin A may increase side effects when taking bexarotene. Limit your use of vitamin A supplements to not more than the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 4000 to 5000 International Units (IU) a day. If you take vitamins, check the label to see how much vitamin A they contain. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with bexarotene. The interaction could have potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Targretin Dosage
How should I take Targretin (Bexarotene)?
Take bexarotene exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Your doctor will tell you how many bexarotene capsules to take each day. Take your daily dose of bexarotene all at once. Take bexarotene once a day with or immediately following a meal.
Swallow each capsule whole. Do not chew them, dissolve them in liquid, or allow them to dissolve in your mouth.
Do not take any bexarotene capsules after the expiration date printed on the label.
If any bexarotene capsules are broken or leaking, do not touch the capsules or the contents and notify your pharmacist immediately. If the contents of a broken capsule get on your skin, immediately wash the area with soap and water and notify your physician.
Your doctor will want to monitor the levels of lipids (triglycerides and cholesterol) and thyroid hormones in your blood periodically during treatment with bexarotene. Treatment may be necessary if your cholesterol or triglyceride levels become elevated, or if your thyroid hormone levels are low.
It may take many weeks of treatment to see the effects of this drug. Do not stop taking bexarotene if you do not see results immediately. Some patients treated with bexarotene see improvement within the first several weeks of treatment, however most patients require several months or more of treatment to improve.
Store bexarotene at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep this product out of the reach of children.
What happens if I overdose on Targretin (Bexarotene)?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a bexarotene overdose are unknown.
What happens if I miss a dose of Targretin (Bexarotene)?
Take the missed dose, with food, as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
Edited from everydayhealth.com