What is Targretin used for?

Targretin is used to treat skin problems from a disease called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, or CTCL. Your doctor must supervise the use of Targretin capsules.

There are some people that should not take Targretin?

• Do not take Targretin capsules if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant
• Do not take Targretin capsules if you are allergic to this medicine.

Warnings for People taking Targretin:

• Do not take Targretin capsules if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant.
• The capsules may harm your fetus unborn baby. You should contact your doctor right away if think or suspect that you may be pregnant while taking Targretin and up to one month after you stop taking Targretin capsules.
• If you are capable of becoming pregnant, you have to get a pregnancy test within one week before you start Targretin and monthly while you are taking Targretin, confirming you are not pregnant.
• You must use effective birth control continuously starting one month prior to beginning treatment with Targretin until one month after you stop taking it. It is highly recommended that you take two reliable forms of birth control together
• Men should talk with your doctor if your partner is pregnant or capable of becoming pregnant.

General Precautions to take when on Targretin:

Your skin may become more sensitive to sunlight while taking this medicine. Individuals taking Targretin should minimize exposure to sunlight and not use a sunlamp.

There are some things that you should tell your doctor when taking this medication:

Before you start to take this medicine tell your doctor if:

• You are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
• You have or previously had an inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis).
• You are breastfeeding.
• You are taking gemfibrozil (Lopid), a medication to reduce high triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the blood.
• You are allergic to retinoid medications (for example: Accutane [isotretinoin], Soriatane [acitretin], Tegison [etretinate], Vesinoid [tretinoin]).
• You have or ever had high triglyceride (a fatty substance) levels in your blood.
• You have diabetes.
• You have or have had gall bladder disease.
• You have or have had any liver disease.
• You have or have had kidney disease.
• You regularly drink more than a small amount of alcohol.
• You are currently taking any prescription medication especially for fungal infections, bacterial infections, or seizures.
• You often eat grapefruit or drink a lot of grapefruit juice.
• You take vitamin supplements.

What side effects can you expect when taking Targretin? (This is only a partial list of side effects reported with Targretin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list of possible side effects and drug interactions..)

• The most common side effect is an increase in blood lipids (fats in the blood). Periodic blood tests will be needed to check blood levels of lipids, including triglycerides and cholesterol. Medication may be needed to control high fat levels in the blood.
• Another common side effect is an underactive thyroid. Blood tests will be needed to detect thyroid activity. Medication to control underactive thyroid may be necessary.
• An infrequent side effect of Targretin is pancreatitis .

For more detailed information about Targretin, ask your doctor.