Vesanoid

Action

Unknown. Thought to cause differentiation of promyelocytic leukemic blast cells, leading to apoptosis (cell shrinkage and death) and cancer remission.

Availability

Capsules: 10 mg

Topical cream: 0.02%, 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%

Topical gel: 0.01%, 0.025%, 0.04%, 0.1%

Indications and dosages

➣ APL when anthracycline chemotherapy fails or is contraindicated

Adults and children ages 1 and older: 45 mg/m²/day P.O. in two evenly divided doses. Discontinue after 90 days of therapy or 30 days after complete remission occurs, whichever comes first.

➣ Acne vulgaris

Adults: Apply Avita cream, Retin-A cream gel, or Retin-A Micro gel daily before bedtime or in evening. Cover entire affected area lightly.

➣ Adjunct for mitigating fine wrinkles in patients who use comprehensive skin care and sun avoidance programs

Adults: Apply Renova 0.02% cream to face daily in evening for up to 52 weeks, using only enough to lightly cover entire affected area.

➣ Adjunct for mitigating fine wrinkles, mottled hyperpigmentation, and tactile roughness of facial skin when comprehensive skin care and sun avoidance programs alone fail

Adults ages 50 and younger: Apply Renova 0.05% cream to face daily in evening for up to 48 weeks, using only enough to lightly cover entire affected area.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to drug or parabens

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding (oral use)

Precautions

Use cautiously in:

• eczema, sunburn, photosensitivity

• concurrent use of over-the-counter (OTC) acne products or abrasive soaps or cleansers with strong drying effects or high alcohol or lime content (with all topical forms)

• concurrent use of astringents, spices, permanent wave solutions, electrolysis, hair depilatories or waxes, or photosensitizing drugs (such as fluoroquinolones, phenothiazines, tetracyclines, thiazides)

• heavily pigmented, elderly, pregnant, or breastfeeding patients (safety and efficacy not established for topical use)

• children younger than age 1 for oral use or younger than age 18 for topical use (safety and efficacy not established).

Administration

• Verify that female patient has had required pregnancy test before P.O. therapy starts.

• Know that Renova topical cream isn't indicated for acne vulgaris, and that other topical forms are indicated only for acne vulgaris. Also know that some absorption of topical products occurs.

Adverse reactions

CNS: dizziness, headache, asthenia, paresthesia, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, anxiety, aphasia, depression, agnosia, insomnia, asterixis, cerebellar edema, hypotaxia, drowsiness, slow speech, facial paralysis, hemiplegia, hyporeflexia, hypotaxia, dementia, spinal cord disorder, tremors, dysarthria, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), coma, seizures, intracranial hypertension, cerebral hemorrhage

CV: heart murmur, chest discomfort, peripheral edema, hypertension, hypotension, phlebitis, edema, enlarged heart, ischemia, arrhythmias, secondary cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure, pericardial effusion, impaired myocardial contractility, progressive hypoxemia

EENT: vision disturbances, visual acuity changes, visual field defect, absence of light reflex, hearing loss, earache, full sensation in ears

GI: nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and distention, GI disorders, mucositis, dyspepsia, ulcer, anorexia, GI hemorrhage

GU: dysuria, urinary frequency, enlarged prostate, renal insufficiency, renal tubular necrosis, acute renal failure

Hematologic: leukocytosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), hemorrhage

Hepatic: ascites, hepatosplenomegaly, hepatitis

Metabolic: fluid imbalance, acidosis

Musculoskeletal: bone pain or inflammation, myalgia, flank pain

Respiratory: respiratory tract disorders, dyspnea, expiratory wheezing, crackles, pneumonia, laryngeal edema, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural effusion, bronchial asthma, pulmonary hypertension

Skin: rash; pallor; flushing; diaphoresis; alopecia; dry skin and mucous membranes; skin changes; pruritus; cellulitis; burning, erythema, peeling, and stinging (with topical use)

Other: weight changes, fever, lymphatic disorder, hypothermia, infections, facial edema, pain, RA-APL syndrome, multisystem failure, septicemia

Interactions

Drug-drug. Photosensitizing drugs (such as fluoroquinolones, phenothiazines, tetracyclines, thiazides): increased risk of photosensitivity reaction (with topical forms)

Drug-diagnostic tests. Cholesterol, triglycerides: increased levels

Drug-food. Any food: enhanced tretinoin absorption

Drug-behaviors. Sun exposure: increased risk of photosensitivity

Patient monitoring

☞ Watch closely for septicemia, multisystem failure, and retinoic acid-APL syndrome (which causes pulmonary and pericardial effusion, fever, weight gain, and dyspnea).

☞ Monitor for significant adverse CNS reactions, including seizures, CVA, and cerebral hemorrhage.

☞ Monitor cardiovascular status. Stay alert for signs and symptoms of arrhythmias, MI, and heart failure.

☞ Closely monitor liver and kidney function tests. Watch for evidence of hepatitis and renal failure.

☞ Monitor coagulation studies. Watch closely for DIC and hemorrhage.

• Evaluate respiratory status. Stay alert for indications of pulmonary hypertension and respiratory insufficiency.

• Frequently assess lipid panel and CBC with white cell differential.

Patient teaching

• Instruct patient to take oral doses with food.

☞ Teach patient to recognize and immediately report serious adverse reactions.

• Tell patient he will undergo regular blood testing during oral therapy.

• Instruct patient using topical form to gently wash face with mild soap, pat skin dry, and then wait 20 to 30 minutes before applying. Advise him to apply to face in evening, using only enough to cover entire affected area lightly and only for prescribed duration.

• Caution patient to avoid OTC acne drugs and extreme weather conditions (such as wind and cold). Urge him to adhere to prescribed skin care and sunlight avoidance programs when using topical form.

• Tell patient using topical form that transient burning, erythema, peeling, pruritus, and stinging may occur. Advise him to notify prescriber if these symptoms become severe.

• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs, tests, foods, and behaviors mentioned above.

triamcinolone acetonide

Adcortyl ^(UK), Kenalog, Kenalog-10, Kenalog-40, Nasacort AQ, Triaderm (CA)