What is it?
A retinoid preparation available as brown/yellow capsules containing 10mg of tretinoin.
Medical Uses
With other chemotherapeutic drugs to treat acute promyelocytic leukaemia.
Dosage
Adults and children, 45mg per square metres of body area each day in 2 divided doses taken with meals. Treatment should continue for a maximum of 90 days or until remission is achieved.
Special Care
Impaired kidney or liver function. Blood lipids, haematology, coagulation and liver function tests are all required during the course of treatment.
Avoid Use
Pregnancy, breastfeeding.
Possible Drug and Food Interactions
Tetracyclines, unducers and inhibitors of liver enzymes, vitamin A, oral contraceptives containing progesterone only.
Known Side Effects
Gastrointestinal upset, headache, pains in chest and bones, fluid retention, breathlessness, asthma, high pressure within skull, thrombosis, disturbances to vision and hearing, effects on CNS, dry mucous membranes and skin, heart arrhythmias, rash, raised blood lipid levels, dry, cracked, inflamed lips. If retinoic acid syndrome occurs, this must be treated and manufacturer's literature consulted.
Manufacturer
Roche.
