|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (TRET
i noyn,
oral) |
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|
| Brand Names |
|
| Vesanoid® |
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|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Antineoplastic Agent, Miscellaneous |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Do not use if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. This
medicine can seriously harm a baby growing inside you. Your healthcare provider
will talk about the risk before starting you on the medicine. You must use 2
forms of birth control. Effective birth control must be started 1 month before
you start taking this medicine and continue for 1 month after the medicine is
stopped. Do not forget your birth control. You will need a pregnancy test each
month. If you get pregnant while taking this medicine call your healthcare
provider right away. This medicine can cause a condition in 25% of patients who
take it. The condition is called retinoic-acid-APL syndrome. Some of the signs
include unexplained fever, shortness of breath, and weight gain. Severe problems
can occur in some patients who develop this condition. Call your healthcare
provider now if you have fever, shortness of breath, or weight
gain.
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|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to parabens, vitamin A, another retinoid,
tretinoin, or any other part of the
medicine.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This oral medicine is used for the treatment of acute promyelocytic
leukemia.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Tretinoin, oral interferes with the metabolism of cancer cells and
decreases production of these
cells.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- There is no information on the effect of food on this medicine. Food
improves the absorption of similar
medicines.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen or like
products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic,
ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E.
- You will bleed easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush,
electric razor.
- Avoid other sources of vitamin A (multivitamins, vitamin A
supplements).
- Tell healthcare provider if you have high cholesterol or
triglycerides. This can cause a reversible increase.
- Avoid soft contact lenses. Eyes may be irritated.
- You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen;
wear protective clothing and eyewear.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Fever, bone pain, skin and mucous membrane drying, rash, itching,
increased sweating, visual changes, dizziness.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check blood work frequently. Talk with healthcare
provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Talk with healthcare provider for more instructions.
- Any signs or symptoms of infection. This may include a fever greater
than 99 degrees, chills, sore throat, cough, increased sputum or change in
color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, anal itching or
pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- Severe headache.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Visual changes.
- Unusual bruising or bleeding.
- Rash.
|
|
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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