Tretinoin

Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating tretinoin capsules. Females of reproductive potential must have a negative pregnancy test before initiating tretinoin capsules [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3)].

The recommended dosage of tretinoin capsules is 22.5 mg/m² orally twice daily until complete remission is documented. Discontinue tretinoin capsules 30 days after achievement of complete remission or after 90 days of treatment, whichever occurs first.

Discontinue tretinoin capsules if the t(15;17) translocation or PML/RARα fusion has not been identified [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. Take tretinoin capsules with a meal. Swallow tretinoin capsules whole with water. Do not chew, dissolve, or open capsule.

Do not take a missed dose of tretinoin capsules unless it is more than 10 hours until the next scheduled dose. If vomiting occurs after tretinoin capsules administration, do not take an additional dose, but continue with the next scheduled dose.

Tretinoin capsules can cause embryo-fetal loss and malformations when administered to a pregnant woman. Tretinoin capsules are a retinoid and there is an increased risk of major congenital malformations, spontaneous abortions and premature births following exposure to retinoids during pregnancy in humans. Tretinoin has teratogenic and embryotoxic effects in mice, rats, hamsters, rabbits and pigtail monkeys at doses less than the human dose on a mg/m² basis.

Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use 2 effective methods of contraception during treatment with tretinoin capsules and for 1 month following the last dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with tretinoin capsules and for 1 week following the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)].

Differentiation Syndrome, which may be life-threatening or fatal, occurred in about 26% of patients with APL who received tretinoin capsules [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Symptoms include fever, dyspnea, acute respiratory distress, weight gain, radiographic pulmonary infiltrates, pleural and pericardial effusions, edema, and hepatic, renal, and multi-organ failure. This syndrome has been accompanied by impaired myocardial contractility and episodic hypotension and it has been observed with or without concomitant leukocytosis. This syndrome generally occurs during the first month of treatment, as early as following the first dose. Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation were required in some cases due to progressive hypoxemia and several patients have died with multi-organ failure.

At the first signs or symptoms of this syndrome, immediately administer dexamethasone 10 mg intravenously every 12 hours until signs and symptoms have abated for at least 3 days and initiate hemodynamic monitoring until resolution of signs and symptoms. Consider withholding tretinoin capsules for moderate and severe differentiation syndrome until resolution [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Tretinoin capsules may be initiated based on the morphological diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Confirm the diagnosis of APL by detection of the t(15;17) translocation using cytogenetic studies or PML/RARα fusion using molecular diagnostic techniques. Tretinoin capsules are not recommended for use in patients without these genetic markers [see Indications and Usage (1)].

Rapidly evolving leukocytosis, which can be life-threatening, occurred in about 40% of patients with APL who received tretinoin capsules [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Patients who present with a baseline white blood cell count (WBC) > 5 × 10⁹/L have an increased risk. Patients who receive chemotherapy with tretinoin capsules may be at a reduced risk. Rapidly evolving leukocytosis is associated with a higher risk of life-threatening complications.

Consider administering cytoreductive chemotherapy (including an anthracycline if not contraindicated or hydroxyurea) with tretinoin capsules in the setting of leukocytosis, as clinically indicated.

Retinoids, including tretinoin capsules, have been associated with intracranial hypertension, especially in pediatric patients. Early signs and symptoms include papilledema, headache, nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances. Evaluate patients with these symptoms for intracranial hypertension, and, if present, institute appropriate care in concert with neurological assessment. Consider interruption, dose reduction, or discontinuation of tretinoin capsules as appropriate.

The concomitant use of other products (e.g., tetracyclines) that can cause intracranial hypertension may increase the risk. Avoid concomitant use of tretinoin capsules with other products that can cause intracranial hypertension [see Drug Interactions (7.2)].

Hypercholesterolemia and/or hypertriglyceridemia has occurred in up to 60% of patients who received tretinoin capsules. These changes may be reversible upon completion of treatment. The clinical consequences of increased triglycerides and cholesterol are unknown, but venous thrombosis and myocardial infarction have been reported in patients who ordinarily are at low risk for such complications.

Monitor fasting triglycerides and cholesterol at baseline and periodically during treatment.

Elevated liver function test results occurred in 50% to 60% of patients during treatment with tretinoin capsules. Most of these abnormalities resolved without interruption of tretinoin capsules or after completion of treatment.

Monitor liver function test at baseline and during treatment as clinically indicated. Consider withholding tretinoin capsules if liver function test results increase to greater than 5 times the upper limit of normal values until resolution.

Venous and arterial thromboembolic events, including cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction and renal infarct have been reported with tretinoin capsules [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)]. These events may occur during the first month of treatment. Patients taking anti-fibrinolytic agents may have an increased risk.

Avoid concomitant use of tretinoin capsules and anti-fibrinolytic agents, such as tranexamic acid, aminocaproic acid or aprotinin [see Drug Interactions (7.4)].

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

The safety of tretinoin capsules was evaluated in patients with APL who received tretinoin capsules at a dose of 22.5 mg/m² orally twice daily [see Clinical Studies (14)].

The most common adverse reactions (≥30%) were headache, fever, skin/mucous membrane dryness, bone pain, malaise, shivering, upper respiratory tract disorders, dyspnea, hemorrhage, infections, nausea/vomiting, rash, peripheral edema, leukocytosis, pain, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, chest discomfort, abdominal pain.

Table 1 summarizes the adverse reactions for patients with APL.

Table 1. Adverse Reactions (≥ 10%) Occurring in Patients with APL Who Received Tretinoin Capsules

¹Differentiation syndrome can be associated with other commonly reported events such as fever, leukocytosis, dyspnea, pneumonia, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, hypotension, edema, weight gain, and renal failure.

Adverse reactions that occurred in <10% of patients who received tretinoin capsules include:

• Hepatobiliary disorders: Hepatosplenomegaly (9%), hepatitis (3%), unspecified liver disorder (3%).
• Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: Flank pain (9%), bone inflammation (3%).
• Nervous system disorders: Agitation (9%), cerebral hemorrhage (9%), intracranial hypertension (9%), hallucination (6%), abnormal gait, agnosia, aphasia, asterixis, cerebellar edema, cerebellar disorders, convulsions, coma, CNS depression, dysarthria, encephalopathy, facial paralysis, hemiplegia, hyporeflexia, hypotaxia, no light reflex, neurologic reaction, spinal cord disorder, stroke, tremor, leg weakness, unconsciousness, dementia, forgetfulness, somnolence, and slow speech (3% each).
• Renal and urinary disorders: Dysuria (9%), acute renal failure, micturition frequency, renal tubular necrosis, and enlarged prostate (3% each).
• Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Lower respiratory tract disorders (9%), pulmonary infiltration (6%), bronchial asthma, pulmonary edema, larynx edema, and unspecified pulmonary disease (3% each).
• Infections and infestations: Cellulitis (8%).
• Blood and lymphatic system disorders: Lymph disorders (6%).
• Cardiovascular disorders: Cardiac failure (6%), cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, enlarged heart, heart murmur, myocarditis, pericarditis, and secondary cardiomyopathy (3% each).
• Ear and labyrinth disorders: Hearing loss and other unspecified auricular disorders (6%), irreversible hearing loss (<1%).
• General disorders: Face edema (6%), pallor (6%), hypothermia (3%).
• Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Fluid imbalance (6%), acidosis (3%).
• Eye disorders: Changed visual acuity (6%), visual field defects (3%).
• Gastrointestinal disorders: Ascites, ulcer (3% each).
• Vascular disorders: Ischemia and pulmonary hypertension (3% each).

Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Erythema nodosum, basophilia and hyperhistaminemia, Sweet’s Syndrome, organomegaly, hypercalcemia, pancreatitis, myositis, thrombosis (both venous and arterial), thrombocytosis, genital ulceration and vasculitis, predominantly involving the skin.

Strong or moderate CYP3A Inhibitors

Avoid concomitant use of tretinoin capsules with strong CYP3A inhibitors if possible and monitor more frequently if concomitant use is unavoidable. Monitor patients taking moderate CYP3A inhibitors concomitantly with tretinoin capsules more frequently for adverse reactions.

Tretinoin is a CYP3A substrate. Concomitant use with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor increases tretinoin plasma concentrations, which may increase the risk of adverse reactions [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )].

Strong CYP3A Inducers

Concomitant use of tretinoin capsules with strong CYP3A4 inducers may decrease tretinoin plasma concentrations, which may reduce its efficacy. Avoid concomitant use with strong CYP3A inducers if possible.

Intracranial hypertension has been reported in patients who received tretinoin capsules and concomitant use of other products that can cause intracranial hypertension, such as tetracyclines, may increase the risk. Avoid concomitant use of tretinoin capsules with other products agents that can cause intracranial hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

The concomitant use of vitamin A with tretinoin capsules may lead to vitamin A related adverse reactions. Avoid concomitant use of tretinoin capsules with vitamin A.

Fatal thrombotic complications have been reported in patients who have received tretinoin capsules and concomitant use of anti-fibrinolytic agents may increase the risk. Avoid concomitant use of tretinoin capsules with anti-fibrinolytic agents [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)].

Risk Summary

Based on findings in animals and its mechanism of action [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1)], tretinoin capsules can cause embryo-fetal loss and malformations when administered to a pregnant woman. Tretinoin capsules are a retinoid and there is an increased risk of major congenital malformations, spontaneous abortions and premature births following exposure to retinoids during pregnancy in humans. Tretinoin was teratogenic and embryotoxic in mice, rats, hamsters, rabbits and pigtail monkeys at doses less than the human dose on a mg/m² basis (see Data). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Data

Human Data

Tretinoin capsules are a retinoid and increased spontaneous abortions and major fetal abnormalities related to the use of retinoids have been documented in humans. Reported malformations include abnormalities of the central nervous system, musculoskeletal system, external ear, eye, thymus and great vessels; and facial dysmorphia, cleft palate, and parathyroid hormone deficiency. Some of these abnormalities were fatal.

IQ scores less than 85, with or without obvious CNS abnormalities, have been reported in pediatrics exposed to retinoids in utero.

Animal Data

Tretinoin causes fetal resorptions and a decrease in live fetuses in all animals studied. Gross external, soft tissue and skeletal alterations occurred at doses higher than 0.7 mg/kg/day in mice, 2 mg/kg/day in rats, 7 mg/kg/day in hamsters, and at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day, the only dose tested, in pigtail monkeys (about 1/20, 1/4, and 1/2 and 4 times the human dose, respectively, on a mg/m² basis).

There are no data on the presence of tretinoin in human milk, the effects on the breastfeed child or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from tretinoin in breastfed infants, advise women not to breastfed during treatment with tretinoin capsules and for 1 week after the last dose.

Tretinoin capsules can cause embryo-fetal loss and malformations when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Pregnancy Testing

Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential prior to initiating tretinoin capsules. Females of reproductive potential must have a negative pregnancy test within 1 week prior to initiating tretinoin capsules with a sensitivity of at least 50 mIU/mL.

Contraception

Females

Advise females of reproductive potential to abstain continuously from sexual intercourse or to use two effective methods of contraception. Counsel patients to use two effective methods of contraception during treatment with tretinoin capsules and for 1 month after the last dose. Two methods of effective contraception is indicated even where there has been a history of infertility, unless due to hysterectomy. Refer females of reproductive potential to a qualified provider of contraceptive methods, if needed.

Males

Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and after treatment with tretinoin capsules and for 1 week after the last dose.

Infertility

Males

Based on testicular toxicities observed in dogs, tretinoin capsules may impair male fertility [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)]. The reversibility of effect on fertility is unknown.

Safety and effectiveness of tretinoin capsules has been established in pediatric patients 1 year of age and older and the information on this use is discussed throughout the labeling. The maximum tolerated dose is lower in pediatric patients compared to adults. Some pediatric patients experience severe headache and intracranial hypertension, which required management with an analgesic and a lumbar puncture. Dose reduction may be considered for pediatric patients experiencing serious and/or intolerable adverse reactions.

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients less than 1 year of age have not been established.

Across clinical studies of tretinoin capsules, 21% were 60 years and older. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these patients and younger patients.

Tretinoin induces cytodifferentiation and decreased proliferation of APL cells in culture and in vivo. In APL patients, tretinoin treatment produces an initial maturation of the primitive promyelocytes derived from the leukemic clone, followed by a repopulation of the bone marrow and peripheral blood by normal, polyclonal hematopoietic cells in patients achieving complete remission (CR). The exact mechanism of action of tretinoin in APL is unknown.

The exposure-response relationship and time course of pharmacodynamic response for the safety and effectiveness of tretinoin capsules have not been characterized.

Following the administration of tretinoin capsules 22.5 mg/m² orally twice daily, the mean ± SD peak tretinoin concentrations after the first dose was 394 ± 89 and after 1 week of continuous treatment was 138 ± 139 ng/mL, while area under the curve (AUC) after the first dose was 537 ± 191 ng·h/mL and after 1 week of continuous treatment was 249 ± 185 ng·h/mL.

Absorption

Time to reach peak concentration was between 1 and 2 hours. The absolute bioavailability of tretinoin capsules was approximately 50%.

Effect of Food

The effect of food on the absorption of tretinoin capsules has not been characterized. Food increases the absorption of retinoids, as a class.

Distribution

The apparent volume of distribution of tretinoin has not been determined. Protein binding is greater than 95%, predominately to albumin. Plasma protein binding remains constant over the concentration range of 10 to 500 ng/mL.

Elimination

The terminal elimination half-life of tretinoin following initial dosing is 0.5 to 2 hours in patients with APL.

Metabolism

Tretinoin induced its own metabolism with plasma concentrations after 1 week of continuous therapy decreased to one-third of their day 1 values. Tretinoin is metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, CYP3A4, 2C8, and 2E and undergoes glucuronidation by UGT2B7. Metabolites include 9-cis retinoic acid, 13-cis retinoic acid, 4-oxo trans retinoic acid, 4-oxo cis retinoic acid, and 4-oxo trans retinoic acid glucuronide. The metabolites 4-oxo retinoic acid and 4-oxo trans retinoic acid glucuronide have one-third of the pharmacological activity of the parent compound.

Excretion

Following administration of radiolabeled tretinoin 2.75 mg and 50 mg (0.53 to 9.6 times the approved recommended dosage based on 1.7 m²), approximately 63% of radioactivity was recovered in the urine within 72 hours and 31% appeared in the feces within 6 days.

Specific Populations

The effect of age, sex, race, renal impairment, and hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of tretinoin is unknown.

Drug Interaction Studies

Clinical Studies and Post Marketing Experience

Strong CYP3A inhibitors: Tretinoin AUC increased by 72% following concomitant use with ketoconazole (strong CYP3A inhibitor). Increased tretinoin toxicity has also been reported post-marketing with strong CYP3A inhibitors including certain antimycotics.

Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors: Increased tretinoin toxicity following concomitant use of tretinoin capsules with certain antimycotics that are moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors has been reported post-marketing.

In Vitro Studies

Effect of Tretinoin on Transporters: Tretinoin does not inhibit P-gp and BCRP in vitro.

No 2-year carcinogenicity studies in rodents have been conducted with tretinoin. In a carcinogenicity study, female B5D2F1 mice pretreated with a carcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN, intraperitoneal 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) received dietary supplement of all-trans-retinoic acid (tretinoin) for 12 months. Tretinoin at a dose of 30 mg/kg/day in the diet (about 2 times the human dose on a mg/m² basis) was shown to increase the rate of DEN-induced mouse hepatocellular carcinomas. Tretinoin in combination with 50 mg/kg of DEN also increased the incidence of hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas.

Tretinoin was negative when tested in the Ames and Chinese hamster V79 cell HGPRT assays for mutagenicity. A 2-fold increase in the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) has been demonstrated in human diploid fibroblasts, but other chromosome aberration assays, including an in vitro assay in human peripheral lymphocytes and an in vivo mouse micronucleus assay, did not show a clastogenic or aneuploidogenic effect.

Adverse effects on fertility and reproductive performance were not observed in studies conducted in rats at doses up to 5 mg/kg/day (about 2/3 the human dose on a mg/m² basis). In a 6-week toxicology study in dogs, testicular degeneration, with increased numbers of immature spermatozoa, were observed at 10 mg/kg/day (about 4 times the equivalent human dose in mg/m²).