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Bexarotene Gel FAQs

What is Targretin® gel?
Targretin (tar-GRET-in) gel contains bexarotene (beks-AIR-oh-teen). Targretin® gel belongs to a class of medicines known as retinoids.

What are the uses for Targretin® gel?
This medicine is used to treat the skin problems arising from a disease called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, or CTCL. Your health care provider has prescribed Targretin® for the topical treatment of the cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), or mycosis fungoides (MF), lesions (sometimes referred to as patches or plaques) on your skin. Your doctor must instruct you on the proper use of Targretin® gel.

How and when should Targretin® gel be applied?
HOW TO APPLY
Apply Targretin® gel to your CTCL lesions using a clean washed finger. Place a generous coating of gel over the entire surface of each lesion. You should not apply gel to the healthy skin around the lesion. The extra effort you take in carefully applying the gel only to the area of the CTCL lesion will help to lessen any irritation or redness that may occur. Proper application should leave some gel visible on the surface of the lesion when you are finished with the application.

Immediately following application, wipe the finger(s) you have used to apply the gel with a disposable tissue and wash your hands using soap and water.
Allow five (5) to ten (10) minutes for the gel to dry before covering a treated area with clothing.

A mild non-deodorant soap is recommended when bathing or showering. If you apply Targretin® gel after your shower or bath, you should wait 20 minutes before application.

WHEN TO APPLY
Targretin® gel should be applied at an initial frequency of once every other day for the first week. The frequency of application should then be increased as tolerated at weekly intervals to once daily, then twice daily, then three times daily, and finally four times daily. Your health care provider may instruct you to apply Targretin® gel at a different frequency.

YOU SHOULD AVOID...

• You should avoid applying Targretin® gel to areas of healthy skin around a CTCL lesion. Exposure of healthy skin to Targretin® gel may cause unnecessary irritation or redness.
• You should avoid showering, bathing, or swimming until at least three (3) hours after any application, if possible.
• You should avoid covering the CTCL lesions treated with Targretin® gel with any bandage or material other than loose clothing.
• You should avoid prolonged exposure of the treated area to sunlight or other ultraviolet (UV) light (such as tanning lamps).
• You should avoid the use of other topical products on your treated CTCL lesions.
• You should avoid scratching the treated areas.

How quickly can I expect Targretin® gel to work?
Be patient. Targretin® gel takes time to work. In clinical trials, some patients began to respond as early as 4 weeks, but most patients did not experience their best response until 48 to 62 weeks of treatment. Do not stop treatment at the first sign of improvement. Continue to use Targretin® gel as instructed by your health care provider.

What side effects does Targretin® gel have?
While using Targretin® gel, you may experience some local effects such as redness, itching, burning, irritation, and scaling at the area of application. In clinical trials, the majority of these effects were mild or moderate, but some patients did experience more severe rash, itching, irritation, and inflammation. A few patients discontinued treatment due to these types of effects. Should these or other effects become troublesome to you, consult your health care provider. He or she can provide information on how to manage these effects.

When should I be extra careful while using Targretin® gel?

• Because vitamin A in large doses may cause some side effects which are similar to those seen in patients taking Targretin® capsules, do not take more than the recommended daily dietary allowance of vitamin A (4000 to 5000 International Units). If you take vitamins, check the label to see how much vitamin A they contain. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• Your skin may become more sensitive to sunlight while taking this medicine. Minimize exposure to sunlight and do not use a sunlamp.
  What are the medical conditions I should make my doctor aware of?
• If you are breast feeding.
• If you are allergic to retinoid medications (for example: Accutane® [isotretinoin], Soriatane® [acitretin], Tegison® [etretinate], Vesinoid® [tretinoin]).

What are the warnings I should be aware of?

• Do not use Targretin® gel if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant.
• Targretin® gel may harm your fetus (unborn baby). You should contact your doctor immediately if you believe or suspect you are pregnant while you are using Targretin® gel and until one month after you stop using Targretin® gel.
• If you are capable of becoming pregnant, you must have a pregnancy test, within one week before you start Targretin® gel therapy and monthly while you are using Targretin® gel, confirming you are not pregnant.
• You must use effective contraception (birth control) continuously starting one month before beginning treatment with Targretin® gel until one month after you stop using Targretin® gel. It is strongly recommended that two reliable forms of contraception be used together. At least one of these two forms of contraception should include condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, IUDs, or spermicides.
• If you are male and your partner is pregnant or capable of becoming pregnant, you should discuss with your doctor the precautions you should take.
• For external use only.
• DO NOT apply the gel on or near mucosal surfaces of the body such as eyes, nostrils, mouth, lips, vagina, tip of the penis, rectum, or anus.
• DO NOT use insect repellents containing DEET or other products containing DEET while using Targretin® gel.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Product contains alcohol and should be kept away from open flame.