Bexarotene

Generic name: Bexarotene
Brand names: Targretin
Dosage form: oral capsule (75 mg)
Drug class: Miscellaneous antineoplastics

Usage of Bexarotene

Bexarotene is used to treat skin lesions caused by a rare type of cancer called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Bexarotene is usually given after other treatments have failed.

Bexarotene may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Bexarotene side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Bexarotene may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;

low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;

pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting; or

signs of underactive thyroid--extreme tiredness, dry skin, constipation, feeling more sensitive to cold temperatures, weight gain.

Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common side effects of bexarotene may include:

low blood cell counts;

headache, weakness;

nausea, stomach pain;

rash, dry skin; or

swelling in your hands or feet.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Bexarotene

You should not use bexarotene if you are allergic to it, or if you are pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);

pancreatitis;

liver disease;

a thyroid disorder;

cataracts;

diabetes;

ovarian cancer;

gallbladder disease;

if you drink large amounts of alcohol; or

if you are allergic to any other retinoids (isotretinoin, tretinoin, acitretin, Accutane, Soriatane, Vesanoid).

Bexarotene can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or the father is using this medicine.

If you are a man, use condoms during sex if your partner is pregnant or is able to get pregnant. Keep using condoms while taking bexarotene and for at least 1 month after your last dose.

If you are a woman, do not use bexarotene if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You must have a negative pregnancy test 7 days before you start taking bexarotene and once per month during treatment.

You should start taking bexarotene on the 2nd or 3rd day of a normal menstrual period.

Use 2 effective forms of birth control beginning 1 month before you start taking bexarotene, and continuing until at least 1 month after your last dose.

At least one of your forms of birth control should be non-hormonal such as a condom, cervical cap, contraceptive sponge, IUD, or diaphragm with spermicide.

Stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you stop using birth control, or if you miss a menstrual period.

If a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using bexarotene, stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor right away.

You should not breastfeed while you are using bexarotene.

Relate drugs

How to use Bexarotene

Usual Adult Dose for Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma:

300 mg/m2/day orally once a day with a mealDuration of Therapy: This drug should be continued as long as the patient is deriving benefit. In clinical trials with CTCL patients, this drug was administered for up to 118 weeks.Comments: If there is no tumor response after 8 weeks of treatment and the initial dose was well-tolerated, the dose may be escalated to 400 mg/m2/day with careful monitoring.Use: Treatment of cutaneous manifestations of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in patients refractory to at least one prior systemic therapy.

Warnings

Bexarotene can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or the father is using bexarotene. Do not use bexarotene if you are pregnant.

Both men and women using bexarotene should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, beginning 1 month before starting and continuing until at least 1 month after stopping treatment.

Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you stop using birth control, if you miss a menstrual period, or if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using bexarotene.

What other drugs will affect Bexarotene

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect bexarotene, especially:

gemfibrozil;

insulin or oral diabetes medicine.

an antibiotic or antifungal medicine;

antiviral medicine; or

seizure medicine.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect bexarotene. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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