tretinoin

What is the most important information I should know about tretinoin?

Some people taking tretinoin develop a life-threatening condition called retinoic acid-APL syndrome. Tell your doctor right away if you have early symptoms of this syndrome: fever, shortness of breath, feeling light-headed, and/or weight gain.

You must remain under the care of a doctor while taking tretinoin.

What is tretinoin?

Tretinoin is used to cause remission of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a type of blood cancer. Tretinoin is used only for remission of APL and not for continued (maintenance) treatment.

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

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tretinoin?

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

You must use birth control unless you've had a hysterectomy and no longer have a uterus. Use birth control even if you think you cannot become pregnant or have gone through menopause. Tell your doctor right away if you miss a period or think you might be pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• high cholesterol or triglycerides;
• liver disease; or
• a blood clot or stroke.

How should I use tretinoin?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Tretinoin is usually given until you have been in remission for 30 days, or after a total of 90 days (whichever comes first). Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include headache, dizziness, weakness, warmth or tingling in your face, stomach pain, and dry or cracked lips.

What should I avoid while using tretinoin?

What are the possible side effects of tretinoin?

Some people taking tretinoin develop a life-threatening condition called retinoic acid-APL (RA-APL) syndrome. This syndrome can progress and cause failure of many organs in your body, such as the lungs, liver, or kidneys. Tell your doctor right away if you have early symptoms of RA-APL syndrome: fever, shortness of breath, feeling light-headed, and/or weight gain. RA-APL is treatable, but you may need to stop taking tretinoin for a short time. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• mouth and throat ulcers, red or swollen gums, burning mouth pain, trouble swallowing;
• increased pressure inside the skull --severe headaches, ringing in your ears, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes;
• kidney problems --little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;
• liver problems --upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• lung problems --pain when you breathe, rapid heart rate, feeling short of breath (especially when lying down);
• signs of a blood clot --sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, chest pain, problems with vision or speech, pain or swelling in one leg;
• signs of infection --fever, chills, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding, new or worsening cough, stabbing chest pain, wheezing, rapid and shallow breathing; or
• signs of stomach bleeding --bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Common side effects may include:

• headache, weakness, tiredness;
• fever, chills, infections, not feeling well;
• bleeding;
• swelling in your hands or feet;
• abnormal liver function tests;
• flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
• dry mouth, nose, or throat;
• stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• bone pain;
• rash; or
• mouth sores.

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.

What other drugs will affect tretinoin?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• aminocaproic acid;
• aprotinin;
• tranexamic acid; or
• an antibiotic --doxycycline, demeclocycline, minocycline, tetracycline.

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

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about tretinoin.

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.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.01. Revision date: 12/9/2020.