You may have been prescribed a medicine called `Bexarotene` by your doctor. This is usually given to control the symptoms of a skin cancer called `cutaneous T-cell lymphoma`. You may have many questions about this medicine. So let's talk about it in detail, very simply.
What are the things I need to tell the doctor before starting this medication?
Before you start taking Bexarotene, there are a few things you should
definitely tell your doctor. Because people with certain medical conditions need to be very careful when giving this medicine. Think about it, if you have any of the conditions below, is it better to tell them without hiding it?
| Do you have these conditions? | Description |
|---|
| Cataracts | Blurred vision or other difficulties. |
| Diabetes | Problems controlling blood sugar levels. |
| Gallbladder disease | Gallstones or other related diseases. |
| High cholesterol or triglycerides | High blood fat levels. |
| A history of pancreatitis | If you have had previous infections or inflammatory conditions of the pancreas. |
| Frequent alcohol use | If you are a frequent drinker. |
| Liver disease | Some impairment in liver function. |
| Thyroid disease | Imbalances in thyroid hormone levels. |
| Allergies to medications, vitamin A, or other substances | If you have previously had an unusual or allergic reaction to bexarotene, vitamin A, other medicines in the vitamin A group (such as retinoids), other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | This is a very important point. Let's talk about this in more detail. |
| If breastfeeding | Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking this medication. |
When you tell the doctor all of these things, he can decide for sure whether this medication is right for you or if you need to do something else.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
Okay, now let's see how exactly to take these `Bexarotene` capsules.
- This medicine is to be taken orally, with a glass of water.
- Follow the instructions on the prescription label given to you by your doctor.
- Do not break, crush, or chew these capsules. Swallow the capsule whole at once.
- The medicine should be taken with or shortly after a meal .
- Take your medicine at the right time, exactly as your doctor tells you. Don't take more than the prescribed amount.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
If you are giving this medicine to children, you should talk to a pediatrician about it. Special care may be needed.
What if you miss your medication?
If you suddenly forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time.
Never take two doses at once. Doing so may increase the amount of medicine you take.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, call the nearest hospital emergency department or poison control center
immediately .
Remember, this medicine is for you only. Do not share your medicine with others, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
What other medications may interact with this medicine?
When you take `Bexarotene`,
it is not advisable to use some other medicines together. Also, there are some other medicines that can interact with `Bexarotene`. This means that when taken together, `Bexarotene` may change how well it works or increase its side effects.
`Bexarotene` should not be taken together with the following medicines:- `dasabuvir; ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir`
The following medications may also interact with Bexarotene. Therefore, if you are taking any of these, you should tell your doctor:- Atorvastatin (a cholesterol-lowering drug)
- `Carboplatin` (an anticancer drug)
- Female hormones , for example birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections that contain estrogens or progestins
- Paclitaxel (an anticancer drug)
- Gemfibrozil (a drug that lowers cholesterol and triglycerides)
- Medicines for diabetes, such as insulin, glipizide, or glyburide
- Tamoxifen (an anti-cancer drug)
- Vitamin A and other supplements containing vitamin A
This list does not include all possible interactions. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking (prescribed, over-the-counter, herbal products, vitamins, and nutritional supplements). Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs. Some of these can interact with your medicine.
Things you should be especially careful about when taking this medicine:
There are a few
things you need to be very careful about when taking this medicine ``Bexarotene.'' These are definitely things you should keep in mind.
Pregnancy and birth control
This is
the most important thing .
- For women: Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine.If you are planning to become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor immediately , as this medicine can seriously harm an unborn baby.
- If you are of childbearing potential, you should take a pregnancy test one week before starting the pill to make sure you are not pregnant. You should also take a pregnancy test monthly while taking the pill.
- You must use effective contraception for one month before starting the pill and for one month after stopping the pill. Doctors recommend using two reliable methods of contraception together . This medicine may make hormonal birth control methods (such as birth control pills) less effective, so one of the two methods of birth control you use should be a non-hormonal method (such as a condom or an IUD ). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about this.
- Do not breastfeed your baby while taking this medicine.
- For men: If your partner is pregnant or could become pregnant, you must use a condom during sexual intercourse while taking this medicine and for one month after stopping the medicine.
These birth control tips are very important because we need to do everything we can to prevent harm to an unborn child.
Blood Tests
When you take this medicine, your doctor will ask you to have regular blood tests. These will check how the medicine is affecting your body, whether your organs like your liver and thyroid are working properly, and what your cholesterol levels are like. Therefore, it is very important to get these tests done as your doctor tells you.
Sensitivity to sunlight
This medicine
may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. This means that even after a short period of exposure to the sun, your skin may burn, become red, or blister.
- Therefore, avoid sunlight as much as possible.
- If you are going to be in the sun, wear clothing that covers your body well, wear a hat, and use sunscreen (at least SPF 30).
- Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
What side effects can you experience?
Like any medicine, Bexarotene can cause some side effects. Some are serious, and you should see a doctor right away. Others are not so serious, but if they persist or are bothersome, you should tell
your doctor .
Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately: Side effects that usually do not require medical advice (but tell your doctor if they persist or are bothersome): | Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching or rash, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Vision changes | Blurred vision or other vision changes. |
| Decreased blood cells | This medicine may cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This may increase your risk of infection and bleeding. (For example, frequent fevers, chills, sore throat, slow healing of wounds, easy bruising). |
| Nausea, vomiting | Frequent nausea or vomiting. |
| Signs of hypothyroidism | Cold skin, constipation, dry skin, lethargy, fatigue, memory loss. |
| Signs of infection | Fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty urinating. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Dark yellow or brown urine; General flu-like symptoms (such as fever, body aches); Pale stools; Loss of appetite; Nausea; Pain in the upper right abdomen; Unusual tiredness; Yellowing of the eyes or skin. |
| Severe back or stomach pain | It can be caused, in particular, by inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). |
| Diarrhea | Flatulence. |
| Headache | Headache. |
| Appetite | Loss of appetite. |
| Swelling of ankles, feet, hands | Due to fluid accumulation in the body. |
| Insomnia | Difficulty falling asleep. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any other unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor about them as well.
How do you store the medicine?
It is also important to store this medicine properly.
- Keep it out of the reach of children.
- Store at a temperature between 2 and 25 degrees Celsius (36 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit). That means normal room temperature is best.
- Do not store in places that are very hot or humid (e.g., bathrooms).
- Protect from direct sunlight.
- Do not use expired medications (those that have passed their expiration date). Dispose of them properly.
This is just a summary of Bexarotene. If you have any further questions, don't be afraid to ask your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. They will be able to help you.
Take-Home Message
- Bexarotene is a medication used to control the symptoms of a skin disease called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you may have (especially liver , thyroid, cholesterol,You should tell your doctor about any medications you are taking ( such as diabetes ) or other medications you are taking.
- Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Use two reliable forms of birth control while taking the medicine and for one month after stopping.
- Take the medicine with or after a meal. Do not break or crush the capsule.
- As sensitivity to sunlight increases, be careful in the sun and use sunscreen.
- Don't miss your scheduled blood tests.
- If you experience serious side effects (allergies, vision changes, signs of liver damage, signs of infection), see a doctor immediately.
- Don't hesitate to ask your doctor any questions you have.
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