Tretinoin is a retinoid or a type of Vitamin A. It's used as an anti-cancer drug, available by prescription only, and may be marketed under the Canadian brand name of Vesanoid. Store it at room temperature away from heat, light and moisture. Tretinoin can have serious side effects, so make sure to take it only under a doctor's guidance.
Function
Tretinoin is given as treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia, Kaposi's sarcoma and myelodysplastic syndrome. It's usually taken in pill form twice daily, and the dose prescribed is based on your body size. Take each dose with a full glass of water, and make sure to contact your doctor if you miss a dose. Tretinoin is typically taken for 30 days past full remission or a total course of 90 days, whichever comes first.
Considerations
Since tretinoin is a form of vitamin A, you should not use supplements--including multivitamins--that contain vitamin A while you're taking tretinoin. You should also inform your doctor if you are pregnant, may become pregnant or are nursing a baby while treating with tretinoin. Other contraindications to taking tretinoin include sensitivity to parabens, vitamin A or other retinoids.
Warning
Tretinoin is in FDA pregnancy category D: it may cause birth defects, miscarriage, premature birth or fetal death. You should take effective birth control while using tretinoin and for a month after you complete treatment, regardless of whether you're infertile or have already gone through menopause. You may also need to take pregnancy tests every month while using tretinoin.
Side Effects
Possible side effects of tretinoin include vision problems, sweating, skin rash or itching, nausea and vomiting, fever, headache, fatigue or weakness, hair loss and skin changes. Always consult your physician about side effects; make sure to do so immediately if you experience bloody stools, black or bloody vomit, breathing problems, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or extremities while using tretinoin.
Symptoms of Overdose
Symptoms of a tretinoin overdose include headache, facial flushing, abdominal pain, dizziness, weakness, stomach pain and cracked, dry lips. You should seek emergency medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms while using tretinoin.
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