bexarotene topical Health Article

Generic name(s):

bexarotene topical

Brand name(s):

Targretin Topical

What is the most important information I should know about bexarotene topical?

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light (e.g. sunlamps). Bexarotene topical 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 use bexarotene topical if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant. Bexarotene topical is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that bexarotene topical 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 topical, and a pregnancy test should be repeated monthly during treatment. Bexarotene topical 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 topical, during treatment with bexarotene topical, 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 using bexarotene topical and notify your doctor. Men using bexarotene topical with sexual partners who are pregnant, possibly pregnant, or who could become pregnant, must use condoms during sexual intercourse while using bexarotene topical and for at least one month after the last dose of bexarotene topical.

What is bexarotene topical?

The exact way bexarotene works is unknown, but it is believed to inhibit the growth of tumor cells.

Bexarotene topical is used to treat skin lesions of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) (Stage 1A and 1B) in patients who have not responded to or not tolerated other therapies.

Bexarotene topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not use bexarotene topical?

Do not use bexarotene topical without first talking to your doctor if you are allergic to other retinoids such as isotretinoin (Accutane), acitretin (Soriatane), etretinate (Tegison), or tretinoin (Vesinoid). Before using bexarotene topical, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease. You may not be able to use bexarotene topical, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment. Do not use bexarotene topical if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant. Bexarotene topical is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that bexarotene topical 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 topical, and a pregnancy test should be repeated monthly during treatment. Bexarotene topical 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 topical, during treatment with bexarotene topical, 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 using bexarotene topical and notify your doctor. Men using bexarotene topical with sexual partners who are pregnant, possibly pregnant, or who could become pregnant, must use condoms during sexual intercourse while using bexarotene topical and for at least one month after the last dose of bexarotene topical. It is not known whether bexarotene topical passes into breast milk. Do not take bexarotene topical without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.