Targretin Topical

Generic Name: bexarotene topical
Other Brand Names: bexarotene topical

What is bexarotene topical?

The exact way bexarotene works is unknown, but it is believed to inhibit the growth of tumor cells.

Bexarotene topical is used to treat skin lesions of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) (Stage 1A and 1B) in patients who have not responded to or not tolerated other therapies.

Bexarotene topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking bexarotene topical?

Do not use bexarotene topical without first talking to your doctor if you are allergic to other retinoids such as isotretinoin (Accutane), acitretin (Soriatane), etretinate (Tegison), or tretinoin (Vesinoid).

Before using bexarotene topical, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease. You may not be able to use bexarotene topical, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Do not use bexarotene topical if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant. Bexarotene topical is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that bexarotene topical 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 topical, and a pregnancy test should be repeated monthly during treatment. Bexarotene topical 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 topical, during treatment with bexarotene topical, 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 using bexarotene topical and notify your doctor. Men using bexarotene topical with sexual partners who are pregnant, possibly pregnant, or who could become pregnant, must use condoms during sexual intercourse while using bexarotene topical and for at least one month after the last dose of bexarotene topical.

It is not known whether bexarotene topical passes into breast milk. Do not take bexarotene topical without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take bexarotene topical?

Use bexarotene topical exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying this medication.

Apply enough gel to cover the affected area with a generous coating. Proper application should leave some gel visible on the surface of the lesion. Allow the gel to dry for 5 to 10 minutes before covering with clothing.

Do not use bandages, dressings, or other coverings, other than loose clothing, that block the flow of air to the treated area.

Do not apply bexarotene topical to unaffected skin. In addition, do not apply the gel near the eyes, mouth, nostrils, lips, vagina, tip of the penis, rectum, or anus. If you get medication on any of these areas, rinse it off with water.

Mild, non-deodorant soap is recommended for bathing or showering. Wait for 20 minutes after bathing or showering before applying bexarotene topical. Wait for at least 3 hours after applying bexarotene topical before bathing, showering, or swimming.

Bexarotene topical is initially applied once every other day for the first week. The application frequency is then usually increased at weekly intervals to once daily, then three times daily, and finally four times daily according to how well treatment is tolerated. If the affected area becomes irritated, the frequency of application can be reduced. If severe irritation occurs, application can be temporarily stopped for a few days until the irritation is reduced. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Avoid scratching the treated areas.

It may take many weeks of treatment to see the effects of this drug. Do not stop using bexarotene topical if you do not see results immediately. Treatment with bexarotene topical should continue for as long as beneficial effects are being obtained.

Store bexarotene topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of bexarotene topical?

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next application, skip the missed application and apply only the next regularly scheduled dose.Do Notapply a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Where can I get more information about bexarotene topical?
Your pharmacist has information about bexarotene topical written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of bexarotene topical?

Serious side effects are not likely to occur. Stop using bexarotene topical and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives).

You may experience some redness, itching, warmth, swelling, burning, scaling, or other irritation while you are using bexarotene topical. If these side effects are excessive, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe less frequent applications of bexarotene topical.

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.

What is the most important information I should know about bexarotene topical?

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light (e.g. sunlamps). Bexarotene topical 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 use bexarotene topical if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant. Bexarotene topical is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that bexarotene topical 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 topical, and a pregnancy test should be repeated monthly during treatment. Bexarotene topical 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 topical, during treatment with bexarotene topical, 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 using bexarotene topical and notify your doctor. Men using bexarotene topical with sexual partners who are pregnant, possibly pregnant, or who could become pregnant, must use condoms during sexual intercourse while using bexarotene topical and for at least one month after the last dose of bexarotene topical.

What should I avoid while taking bexarotene topical?

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light (e.g. sunlamps). Bexarotene topical 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 use bandages, dressings, or other coverings, other than loose clothing, that block the flow of air to the treated area.

Wait for at least 3 hours after applying bexarotene topical before bathing, showering, or swimming.

Avoid scratching the treated areas.

Vitamin A may increase side effects when using bexarotene topical. 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.

Do not use insect repellents or other products that contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) while using bexarotene topical. Bexarotene topical may increase DEET toxicity, which could be dangerous.

Avoid using other topical products on the affected area at the same time as bexarotene topical unless otherwise directed by your doctor. These products may interfere with the effects or absorption of bexarotene topical.

The Targretin Topical gel brand of bexarotene topical contains alcohol and should be kept away from open flames.

What other drugs will affect bexarotene topical?

Vitamin A my increase side effects when using bexarotene topical. Limit your use of vitamin A supplements to not more than 15, 000 units (IU) a day.

Do not use insect repellents or other products that contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) while using bexarotene topical. Bexarotene topical may increase DEET toxicity, which could be dangerous.

Avoid using other topical products on the affected area at the same time as bexarotene topical unless otherwise directed by your doctor. These products may interfere with the effects or

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with bexarotene topical. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

What happens if I have an overdose of bexarotene topical?

An overdose of this medication is unlikely to occur. If you do suspect an overdose, or if bexarotene topical has been ingested, call an emergency room or poison control center near you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008