Formulary
Bexarotene [Specialist drug]: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Bexarotene [Specialist drug] clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Bexarotene [Specialist drug]: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Bexarotene [Specialist drug] clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): Specialist drug - access specialist resources for dosing information.
Contraindications
For bexarotene [Specialist drug] Acute porphyrias ; history of pancreatitis; hypervitaminosis A; uncontrolled hyperlipidaemia; uncontrolled hypothyroidism
Side effects
For bexarotene [Specialist drug] Common or very common Alopecia; anaemia; appetite decreased; arthralgia; asthenia; chills; constipation; deafness; diarrhoea; dizziness; dry eye; dry mouth; dyslipidaemia; eye disorders; gastrointestinal discomfort; gastrointestinal disorders; headaches; hyperhidrosis; hypersensitivity; hypoproteinaemia; hypothyroidism; increased risk of infection; insomnia; leucopenia; lymphadenopathy; muscle complaints; nausea; oedema; oral disorders; pain; pseudolymphoma; sensation abnormal; skin nodule; skin reactions; skin ulcer; thyroid disorder; vomiting; weight changes Uncommon Albuminuria; anxiety; arrhythmias; ataxia; blood disorder; cataract; coagulation disorder; depression; ear disorder; eosinophilia; eye inflammation; fever; gout; haemorrhage; hair disorder; hepatic failure; hyperbilirubinaemia; hypertension; hyperthyroidism; increased leucocytes; mucous membrane disorder; muscle weakness; nail disorder; neoplasms; nerve disorders; pancreatitis; renal impairment; serous drainage; thrombocytopenia; thrombocytosis; varicose veins; vasodilation; vertigo; vision disorders Frequency not known Burping; chest pain; confusion; cough aggravated; dehydration; drowsiness; dysphagia; dyspnoea; emotional lability; hypercalcaemia; hyperuricaemia; libido decreased; muscle tone increased; pelvic pain; peripheral vascular disease; red blood cell abnormality; taste altered; thirst; tinnitus; white blood cell abnormalities
Pregnancy
Important safety information For bexarotene [Specialist drug] Risks of incorrect dosing of oral anti-cancer medicines See Cytotoxic drugs . MHRA/CHM advice: Oral retinoid medicines: revised and simplified pregnancy prevention educational materials for healthcare professionals and women (June 2019) Materials to support the Pregnancy Prevention Programme in women and girls of childbearing potential taking oral acitretin, alitretinoin, or isotretinoin have been updated. Oral tretinoin and bexarotene do not have a Pregnancy Prevention Programme in light of their oncology indication and specialist care setting. However, healthcare professionals are advised that these medicines are extremely teratogenic and product information should be consulted for contraceptive and pregnancy testing requirements when used in females of childbearing potential. Neuropsychiatric reactions have been reported in patients taking oral retinoids. Healthcare professionals are advised to monitor patients for signs of depression or suicidal ideation and refer for appropriate treatment, if necessary; particular care is needed in those with a history of depression. Patients should be advised to speak to their doctor if they experience any changes in mood or behaviour, and encouraged to ask family and friends to look out for any change in mood.
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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