bexarotene (cont.)

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What is bexarotene (Targretin)?
What are the possible side effects of bexarotene (Targretin)?
What is the most important information I should know about bexarotene (Targretin)?
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using bexarotene (Targretin)?
How should I use bexarotene (Targretin)?
What happens if I miss a dose (Targretin)?
What happens if I overdose (Targretin)?
What should I avoid while using bexarotene (Targretin)?
What other drugs will affect bexarotene (Targretin)?
Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Targretin)?

Take the missed dose, with food, as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose (Targretin)?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a bexarotene overdose are unknown.

What should I avoid while using bexarotene (Targretin)?

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light (e.g. sunlamps). Bexarotene may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

Vitamin A may increase side effects when taking bexarotene. 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. If you take vitamins, check the label to see how much vitamin A they contain. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with bexarotene. The interaction could have potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

What other drugs will affect bexarotene (Targretin)?

Do not take bexarotene without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

gemfibrozil (Lopid);
ketoconazole (Nizoral) or itraconazole (Sporanox);
erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Eryc, Ery-Tab, Ilosone, others);
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane);
phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
phenytoin (Dilantin, others); or
a diabetes medicine such as insulin, glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolbutamide (Orinase), tolazamide (Tolinase), glimepiride (Amaryl), rosiglitazone (Avandia), pioglitazone (Actos), metformin (Glucophage), and others.

You may not be able to take bexarotene, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

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

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about bexarotene written for health professionals that you may read.

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.
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