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Tretinoin oral

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Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking any antibiotics or vitamins.
Swallow the capsules whole without chewing them. Take them with, or soon after, a meal.
If you are a woman it is important that you do not become pregnant while you are taking tretinoin. Ask about suitable contraception.

About tretinoin

Type of medicine	Retinoid
Used for	Acute promyelocytic leukaemia
Also called	Vesanoid®
Available as	Capsules

Tretinoin is used in acute promyelocytic leukaemia. It is a form of vitamin A and works by preventing the growth and division of the type of blood cells responsible for leukaemia.

Before 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

Important: if you experience fever, difficulty in breathing, coughing, dizziness, chest pain and abdominal pain, speak with your doctor immediately or go to your local accident and emergency department without delay.

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

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Never keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

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.

Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk

DocID: 3748

DocRef: dils3746

Last Reviewed: 15 Sep 2009

Version: 22

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

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