Sign inBefore taking tretinoin
Before taking tretinoin make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
- If you have liver or kidney problems.
- If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines. It is particularly important that your doctor knows if you are taking any antibiotics or vitamins.
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine, or if you are allergic to peanut or soya.
How to take tretinoin
- Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet. Take your dose of tretinoin with a drink of water during a meal or soon afterwards. Swallow the capsules whole - you must not chew them.
- Take tretinoin exactly as directed by your doctor. Your doctor will tell you how many capsules to take and when to take them.
- Try to take tretinoin at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses.
- If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember but do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
- If you are sick shortly after taking a dose, check with your doctor. You will be told whether to take the dose again or to wait until the next dose is due.
Getting the most from your treatment
- It is important if you are a woman that you do not get pregnant while taking tretinoin and for a time after your treatment has ended. Some oral contraceptives are not suitable with tretinoin so it is important that you ask your doctor, hospital or pharmacist for advice.
- You must keep your regular appointments with the doctor and appointments for blood tests so your progress can be checked.
- If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
- If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with tretinoin.
Can tretinoin cause problems?
Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
| Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine | What can I do if I experience this |
| Dizziness | Getting up slowly should help. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit for a few moments before standing. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which would be dangerous if you were not fully alert |
| Headache | Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller. If the headache continues or is severe, speak with your doctor |
| Feeling or being sick | Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods |
| Diarrhoea | Drink plenty of water to replace any lost fluids. If this continues or is severe, let your doctor know |
| Constipation | Drink 6-8 glasses of water each day and eat a diet containing plenty of fruit and fibre |
| Reduced appetite, shivering, confusion, anxiety, mood changes, difficulty sleeping, feelings of 'pins and needles', difficulty hearing or seeing, flushing, dry mouth or skin, difficulty breathing, skin rash, loss of hair, increased sweating, bone or chest pain, and generally feeling unwell | Discuss these with your doctor |
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store tretinoin
- Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
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References
- Manufacturer's PIL, Vesanoid® 10 mg soft capsules, Roche Products Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated August 2006, accessed August 2009.
- British National Formulary; 57th Edition (March 2009) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.