Tretinoin oral

About Tretinoin oral

This belongs to the group of medicines known as retinoids.

Tretinoin is used to treat certain types of leukaemia.

Tretinoin works by preventing the growth and division of the type of blood cells responsible for leukaemia and therefore stops them increasing in numbers.

Tretinoin is available in capsule form.

Before Taking Tretinoin oral

Before taking tretinoin make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• if you are pregnant or breast-feeding
• if you are male or female and are trying for a baby or intend to have children in the future
• if you suffer from liver or kidney problems
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine
• if you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines

How to Take Tretinoin oral

• Take tretinoin exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Always read the manufacturer's information leaflet, if possible, before beginning treatment.
• You must follow the printed instructions you have been given with your medication.
• Tretinoin should be taken with or immediately after food.
• Tretinoin occasionally causes you to feel sick or be sick. It is important to keep taking this medicine at regular dosage times even if you begin to feel unwell.
• If you vomit shortly after taking a dose, or you forget a dose, check with your doctor. You will be told whether to take the dose again, or wait until the next dose is due.
• Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of tretinoin contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if empty.
• This medicine is for you. Never give it to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Before taking any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe for you to take alongside tretinoin.
• Important: You must not get pregnant while taking tretinoin and for a time after treatment has ended. If you are male, you must not get a woman pregnant. Ask your doctor, hospital or pharmacist about suitable contraception.
• You must keep your regular appointments with the doctor and appointments for blood tests so they can monitor your progress.
• While you are taking tretinoin, and for a while after you stop treatment, do not have any immunisations (vaccinations) without talking to your doctor first. Tretinoin lowers the body's resistance and there is a chance that you may get an infection from the vaccine. There is also some risk if someone else in your household takes an oral polio vaccine because the vaccine can be passed on from person to person.
• Tretinoin can cause dry mouth. If you experience this try chewing sugar-free gum, sucking sugar-free sweets or a piece of ice. If dry mouth becomes too troublesome speak with your doctor.
• Tretinoin may cause you to sweat more than you usually do. Take care not to become overheated in hot weather or during exercise.
• Before having any kind of surgery, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, dentist or surgeon you are taking tretinoin.

Can Tretinoin oral 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 to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects become troublesome.

Dry skin and mouth, rash, feeling sick, being sick, diarrhoea, constipation, bone pain, dryness and cracking of your lips, itching, peeling or inflammation of the skin, sores on genital area, headeaches, pins and needles, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, mood changes, difficulty sleeping, changes in heartbeat, dryness of your eyes or conjunctivitis which may be a problem if you wear contact lenses or increased sweating.

Hair loss has occasionally been reported with tretinoin, but it will grow back when treatment stops.

Important: if you experience fever (high temperature), especially together with difficulty in breathing, coughing, dizziness, chest pain or abdominal pain; swelling of the limbs, any unexplained bruising or bleeding, severe headaches, or pain in one limb contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once.

If you experience any other worrying side effects, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Tretinoin oral

• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Store in a cool dry place, away from food, direct heat and light.
• Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Discard them safely out of the reach of children or take them to your local pharmacist who will dispose of them for you.

© EMIS and Cegedim Pharmacy Services Ltd 2005   Updated: 05/11/2003