Medications and Drugs

GENERIC NAME: TRETINOIN - ORAL (tret-ih-NO-in)

BRAND NAME(S): Vesanoid

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

WARNING: Tretinoin can cause severe (sometimes fatal) side effects. Therefore, it must be used only under close medical supervision. Notify your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: fever, breathing trouble, weight gain, dizziness, chest pain, unusual fatigue, or persistent sore throat. It may be necessary for your doctor to use other medications with tretinoin to reduce the chance of side effects. This medication can cause severe birth defects when used during pregnancy. Therefore women who are pregnant must not use tretinoin. Women must avoid becoming pregnant while taking this drug. Females - Pregnancy tests should be run one week before starting use of this drug. Use two effective forms of birth control together (or complete avoidance of sexual intercourse) while using this drug and for one month after tretinoin use has been stopped. You must also have monthly pregnancy testing and contraception counseling from your doctor while taking this medication.

USES: Tretinoin is used to treat certain types of leukemia.

HOW TO USE: Take this by mouth exactly as directed usually twice a day. It may be taken with food. Follow your dosing instructions closely. Do not increase your dose or take this more often than directed. Your condition will not improve faster but the risk of side effects will be increased.

SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, weakness, fatigue, dry skin, nausea, itching, bone pain and dizziness may occur. If these symptoms continue or become severe, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience: fever, weight gain, wheezing, chest pain, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, vision changes, hearing trouble, painful urination. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.