Alitretinoin (Topical)

Brand Names : Panretin Gel

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For alitretinoin, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to a retinoid (vitamin A) drug product.

Pregnancy - Alitretinoin has not been studied in pregnant women. Alitretinoin has been shown to cause birth defects in animals. However, this medicine may be needed in serious diseases or other situations that threaten the mother's life. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk. However, alitretinoin is not recommended during breast-feeding, because it may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.

Children - Studies of this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of alitretinoin in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing the use of alitretinoin in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking alitretinoin, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are using the following:

• DEET-containing insect repellants - Concurrent use with products containing DEET may increase DEET side effects

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of alitretinoin. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially

• Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma - May be more likely to experience side effects of alitretinoin gel.