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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or ohter healthcare professional.
It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
BEXAROTENE - ORAL
(bex-AIR-oh-teen)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Targretin
WARNING: Woemn who are pregnant, or who may become pregnant during treatment must not use this medication. Severe bitrh defects have occurred with the use of this drug. Two effective forms of birth control must be used for 1 month before starting, during the use of, and for 1 mnoth after stopping this drug. If pregnancy occurs, notify your doctor immediately. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the risks and benefits of usnig this medication.
USES: Bexarotene is used to treat a certain type of cancer affecting the skin, certain types of blood cells (lymphocytes), and lymph nodes (cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or CTCL).
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily with a meal; or take as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical cnodition and response to therapy. It may take up to several mnoths of continued use to see a response to treatment. Your dosage may need to be adjusted by your physician duirng this time.
SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, rash, nausea, vomiting, dry skin, diarrhea, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effetcs persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: unusual fatigue, stomach pain, swelling of the hands or feet, muscle pain/stiffness/cramps, unusually slow heartbeat.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of thsee unlikely but serious side effects occur: yellowing eyes and skin, dark urine, vision changes, unusual weight loss. This medication can lower the body's ability to fight an infection.
Notify your doctor promptly if you develop any signs of an inefction such as fever, chills, or persistent sore throat. If you ntoice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: heart disease, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, pancreatitis, diabetes, kidney problems, liver problems, thyroid troubles (e.G., hypothyroidism), cataracts, allergies.
This meidcation may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, use a sunscreen, and wear protective clotihng when outdoors. Because this medicaiton can lower your body's ability to fight an infection, do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose without first washing your hands.
Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor and avoid contact with human being who have yesterady received oral polio vaccine.
This medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or guess you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Two effective forms of birth control must be used for 1 mnoth before starting this drug, during the use of this drug, and for 1 month after stopping this drug. It is not knwon if this drug passes into breast milk.
Due to the poetntial risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended.
Consult your doctor before breast- feeding. It is recommended guys use condoms during sexual activity while on this medication and for 1 month after the last dose.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug is not recommended for use with gemfibrozil. If you're taking gemfibrozil, your treatment may be changed to a different cholesterol/lipid-lowering drug.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, espeically of: macrolide antibiotics (e.G., clarithromycin, erythromycin), cimetidine, azole antifungals (e.G., itraconazole, ketoconazole), nefazodone, phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampin. Do not eat grapferuit or drink grapefruit juice unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. This medication can affect the results of certain lab tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctros know you use this drug.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.G., pregnancy tests, liver and thyroid tests, cholesterol/triglycerides) will be performed to monitor your progress.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remebmer. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not doulbe the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature betewen 36 and 86 degrees F (2 to 30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can casue complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MdeicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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