Alitretinoin gel 0.1%
Trade Name:
Panretin
Type of Drug:
Alitretinoin gel 0.1% is a retinoid used in molecular targeted therapy. A retinoid is a naturally occuring substance in the body that helps to regulate, or control, the work of genes. These retinoids work to help the cells to mature (differentiate) and divide.
How Drug Works:
Alitretinoin (in a gel form) “turns on” certain retinoid receptors on the cancer cell to control cancer cell growth and division. The gel has been found to stop the growth of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) cells and is used to treat KS skin lesions.
How Drug Is Given:
Alitretinoin gel 0.1% is applied to skin lesions twice a day. When you tolerate it well, your doctor will tell you to apply the gel to the lesions 3 to 4 times a day. Let the gel dry for 3 to 5 minutes before covering the skin lesions with clothes. The dose depends upon the size of the lesions and how often you apply it depends upon how well you tolerate it.
How Should I Take This Drug?
Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them to you.
Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.

Before taking this drug, tell your doctor:

  • If you are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding. This drug may cause birth defects if either the male or female is taking it at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Men and women who are taking this drug need to use some kind of birth control. However, do not use oral contraceptives (“the pill”) without checking with your doctor.

  • If you think you may want to have children in the future. Many chemotherapy drugs can cause sterility.

  • If you have any of the following medical problems: chickenpox or exposure to chickenpox, gout, heart disease, congestive heart failure, shingles, kidney stones, liver disease, or other forms of cancer.

  • If you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.

Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities?
Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine—prescription or nonprescription—without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.
Precautions:
This drug causes increased sensitivity to the sun. Do not use sunlamps and reduce your exposure to the sun.
Store tube of gel at room temperature. Put on glove to apply gel to lesions. Be careful not to get the gel on skin around the lesion.
DO NOT apply gel to mucous membranes, such as on the inside of mouth. If skin irritation develops, your doctor or nurse may instruct you to stop using the gel for a few days until irritation goes away.
DO NOT use an occlusive dressing over gel.
DO NOT use insect repellent containing DEET with gel, as gel increases DEET toxicity.
Responses may be seen in 2 weeks but usually take longer, sometimes up to 14 weeks.
Side effects are related to skin reactions. These are usually mild to moderate and begin as redness of the skin. This may progress to swelling of the skin where the gel is applied. Rarely, some patients may have severe reactions, such as intense redness, severe swelling, or blister formation. Stop using the gel and call your doctor or nurse if this occurs.
DO NOT use when systemic therapy for Kaposi’s sarcoma is needed—for example, if 10 or more KS lesions are present in prior month, or if you have lymphedema (swelling of arm or leg), or lung or organ KS involvement.
DO NOT use this gel if you are allergic to retinoids.
DO NOT use this gel if you are a nursing mother.
Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.
  • Most of the following side effects probably will not occur.
  • Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you.
  • They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.
Side Effects:
More Common Side Effects
  • Redness (erythema) or swelling of the area where the gel is applied
Less Common Side Effects
  • Blister formation
  • Rash
  • Pain
  • Itching
Rare Side Effects
  • Peeling of the skin where the redness was
  • Cracking, crusting of the skin where the gel is applied
  • Oozing of the skin where the gel is applied
  • Stinging or tingling of the skin where the gel is applied
Side Effects / Symptoms of the Drug
If you develop severe skin reaction(s), stop using the gel and call your doctor or nurse right away.
Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.
FDA Approval: This drug is approved for cancer treatment.