Alitretinoin

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time to apply the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular application schedule.

Alitretinoin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• warmth or slight stinging of the skin
• lightening or darkening of the skin
• red, scaling skin
• rash
• swelling, blistering, or crusting of the skin
• pain at site of application
• itching

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Alitretinoin is for external use only. Do not let alitretinoin get into your eyes, your nostrils, mouth, or any broken skin, and do not swallow it.

Do not apply dressings, bandages, cosmetics, lotions, or other skin medications to the area being treated unless your doctor tells you.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. Tell your doctor if your skin condition gets worse or does not improve.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

• Panretin^®

Alitretinoin is a prescription medication used to treat skin lesions associated with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. It belongs to a group of drugs called retinoids. These helps stop the growth of Kaposi's sarcoma cells.

Alitretinoin comes in gel form. It is used 2 to 4 times daily.

Common side effects include rash, warmth or slight stinging of the skin, and lightening or darkening of the skin.

Before using alitretinoin,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to alitretinoin, etretinate, isotretinoin, tazarotene, tretinoin, or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor what other medications you are taking, including vitamins or herbal products. Do not use insect repellants that contain DEET while using alitretinoin.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a type of skin cancer known as T-cell lymphoma.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using alitretinoin, call your doctor immediately. You should not plan to become pregnant while using alitretinoin.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Alitretinoin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

This medication falls into category D. If you become pregnant while using alitretinoin, call your doctor immediately. You should not plan to become pregnant while using alitretinoin.

A vitamin A derivative; naturally occurring endogenous retinoid with topical antineoplastic activity.1 2 16 17

• Provide patients with a copy of manufacturer’s patient information.18

• Describe risk of photosensitivity and associated precautions.1

• Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.1 18 Necessity of advising women to avoid pregnancy during therapy.1 18

• Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, as well as any concomitant illnesses.1

• Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information.1 (See Cautions.)

Data not available

Data not available

Administration advice:
-For topical use only
-Avoid application to normal skin surrounding lesions and on or near mucosal body surfaces due to potential for irritation.
-Allow gel to dry for 3 to 5 minutes before covering with clothing.
-Occlusive dressings should not be used.

General:
-There is no experience using this drug for the systemic treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma.
-Response of Kaposi's sarcoma lesions may be seen as early as 2 weeks after initiating therapy; however, most patients require longer treatment. Some patients required over 14 weeks to respond to therapy and in clinical trials, up to 96 weeks of treatment was observed.

Patient advice:
-Minimize exposure of treated areas to sunlight and sunlamps while using this drug.