Bexarotene Side Effects and Warnings

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Do not use gel with insect repellents that contain N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET).

• If you have high cholesterol or are taking a cholesterol-lowering agent, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Avoid other sources of vitamin A if taking the oral medicine. If using the gel, you can take 4000 to 5000 units of vitamin A daily.

• Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.

• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.

• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.

• Use two forms of birth control that you can trust 1 month before treatment begins, during treatment, and for at least 1 month after treatment ends.

• If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy. Use two forms of birth control that you can trust 1 month before treatment begins, during treatment, and for at least 1 month after treatment ends.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

Oral:

• High cholesterol level.

• High triglyceride level.

• Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.

• Headache.

• Belly pain.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea.

• Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.

• Swelling.

Skin:

• Skin irritation.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.

• Severe headache.

• Severe belly pain.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe diarrhea.

• Not able to eat.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Severe skin irritation.

• For females, if you become pregnant while taking this medicine or within 1 month after treatment ends.

• For males, if your female partner becomes pregnant while you are being treated or within 1 month after treatment ends.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.