bexarotene-oral (cont.)
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: heart disease, high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, pancreatitis, diabetes, kidney problems, liver problems, thyroid problems (e.g., hypothyroidism), cataracts, allergies. This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, use a sunscreen, and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Because this medication can lower your body's ability to fight an infection, do not touch your eyes or the inside of your nose without first washing your hands. Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine. This medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Two effective forms of birth control (see Warning section for a complete list of appropriate birth control) must be used for 1 month before starting this drug, during the use of this drug, and for 1 month after stopping this drug. It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Due to the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast- feeding. It is recommended men use condoms during sexual activity while on this medication and for 1 month after the last dose.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug is not recommended for use with gemfibrozil. If you are taking gemfibrozil, your treatment may be changed to a different cholesterol/lipid-lowering drug. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially of: macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin), cimetidine, azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), nefazodone, phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampin, tamoxifen. This medication may decrease the effectiveness of combination-type birth control pills. This can result in pregnancy. You will need to use additional form(s) of reliable birth control while using this medication (see Warning section for a complete list of appropriate birth control). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. This medication can affect the results of certain lab tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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