What is bexarotene ?
The exact way bexarotene works is unknown, but it is believed to inhibit the growth of tumor cells.
Bexarotene is used to treat skin lesions of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in patients who have not responded to or not tolerated other therapies.
Bexarotene may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about bexarotene?
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.
Do not take bexarotene if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant. Bexarotene is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that bexarotene will cause birth defects in an unborn baby. You must take a pregnancy test and have negative results within one week before starting treatment with bexarotene, and a pregnancy test should be repeated monthly during treatment. Bexarotene should be started on the second or third day of a normal menstrual period. Also, you will need to use two reliable forms of birth control at the same time for one month before starting treatment with bexarotene, during treatment with bexarotene, and for at least 1 month following the end of your treatment. If you become pregnant, stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual period, immediately stop taking bexarotene and notify your doctor. Men taking bexarotene with sexual partners who are pregnant, possibly pregnant, or who could become pregnant, must use condoms during sexual intercourse while using bexarotene and for at least one month after the last dose of bexarotene.
Swallow each capsule whole. Do not chew them, dissolve them in liquid, or allow them to dissolve in your mouth.
Your doctor will want to monitor the levels of lipids (triglycerides and cholesterol) and thyroid hormones in your blood periodically during treatment with bexarotene. Treatment may be necessary if your cholesterol or triglyceride levels become elevated, or if your thyroid hormone levels are low.
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 should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using bexarotene?
Do not take bexarotene without first talking to your doctor if you
are allergic to other retinoids such as isotretinoin (Accutane), acitretin (Soriatane), etretinate (Tegison), or tretinoin (Vesinoid);
have or ever have had pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas);
have high triglyceride levels in your blood;
have diabetes mellitus;
have or ever have had gall bladder disease;
have or ever have had liver disease;
regularly drink alcohol;
are taking gemfibrozil (Lopid);
are taking any prescription medication especially for fungal infections, bacterial infections, diabetes, or seizures; or,
eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice.
You may not be able to take bexarotene, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions, or are taking any of the medications listed above.
Do not take bexarotene if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant. Bexarotene is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that bexarotene will cause birth defects in an unborn baby. You must take a pregnancy test and have negative results within one week before starting treatment with bexarotene, and a pregnancy test should be repeated monthly during treatment. Bexarotene should be started on the second or third day of a normal menstrual period. Also, you will need to use two reliable forms of birth control at the same time for one month before starting treatment with bexarotene, during treatment with bexarotene, and for at least 1 month following the end of your treatment. If you become pregnant, stop using birth control, or miss your menstrual period, immediately stop taking bexarotene and notify your doctor. Men taking bexarotene with sexual partners who are pregnant, possibly pregnant, or who could become pregnant, must use condoms during sexual intercourse while using bexarotene and for at least one month after the last dose of bexarotene.
It is not known whether bexarotene passes into breast milk. Do not take bexarotene without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.