You are using an outdated browser. We suggest you update your browser for a better experience. Click here for update.
Close this notification.
Skip to main content Skip to search

COVID-19: Get the latest updates or take a self-assessment.

Screen for hepatitis B virus in all cancer patients starting systemic treatment. Find out more about hepatitis B virus screening and management.

Drug Formulary information is intended for use by healthcare professionals. It is not intended to be medical advice. Some of the information, including information about funding for cancer drugs, does not apply to all patients. Cancer treatment plans are unique to each patient. If you are a patient, please speak with your healthcare team to understand how this information applies to you.

A - Drug Name

tretinoin (ATRA)

SYNONYM(S):   ATRA; All-trans Retinoic Acid

COMMON TRADE NAME(S):   Vesanoid®

 
B - Mechanism of Action and Pharmacokinetics

Tretinoin is an endogenous metabolite of retinol (vitamin A). It induces terminal differentiation and inhibits cell proliferation in transformed hemopoietic precursor cell lines, including human myeloid lines. Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) is associated with a specific translocation between chromosomes 15 and 17 (region of retinoic acid receptor - α). The translocation appears to inhibit differentiation and lead to carcinogenesis; tretinoin may overcome this when used in high doses. Tretinoin induces remissions in 64-100% of APL patients, with time to remission usually between 8 and 119 days of therapy (Gillis 1995). Acquired resistance during therapy is common especially with prolonged dosing (4-6 months) possibly due to induction of metabolism or increased expression of cellular retinoic acid binding proteins.



Absorption

Oral: well absorbed with 50% bioavailability.

Absorption is affected by biliary pH and fatty composition. Effect of food on tretinoin absorption is unclear but increases bioavailability of retinoids as a class. Hence, tretinoin should be administered with food.

Peak plasma concentrations are reached within 1-2 hours. Pharmacokinetics (AUC, peak plasma concentration) initially increase in a higher than dose proportional manner. Prolonged dosing leads to a significant decrease in AUC and plasma levels.


Distribution

Rapidly and extensively distributed into tissues

Cross blood brain barrier? No
PPB >95% (mainly to albumin)
Metabolism

Primarily by hepatic cytochrome P450 (e.g. CYP3A4, CYP2C8, CYP2E). Metabolites are glucuronidated and excreted in bile and urine. Tretinoin induces its own metabolism, with lower plasma level and AUC after 2-6 weeks of continuous treatment with an increase in urinary excretion of 4-oxo metabolites.

Active metabolites Several, including 13-cis isomer
Inactive metabolites Many
Elimination
Feces 31% within 6 days
Urine 63 % within 72 hours
Half-life 0.7 hours (range 0.5 - 2 h)
 
C - Indications and Status
Health Canada Approvals:

  • For the induction of remission in acute promyelocytic leukemia (either de novo or after relapse following cytotoxic chemotherapy).  Consolidation chemotherapy should be given after complete remission.


 
D - Adverse Effects

Emetogenic Potential:  

Minimal – No routine prophylaxis; PRN recommended

Extravasation Potential:   Not applicable

ORGAN SITE SIDE EFFECT* (%) ONSET**
Auditory Ear pain (23%) E
Hearing impaired (6%) (irreversible in <1%) E
Cardiovascular Arrhythmia (23%) E
Arterial thromboembolism (3%) E
Cardiotoxicity (6%) E
Flushing (23%) I  E
Hypertension (11%) E
Hypotension (14%) E
Pericarditis (3%) E  D
Tachycardia E
Venous thromboembolism E
Dermatological Alopecia (14%) E
Dry skin (77%) (including mucosal dryness) E
Erythema nodosum (rare)
Nail disorder E  D
Other (Sweet's syndrome- rare) E
Photosensitivity (rare) I  E
Rash (54%) E
Gastrointestinal Abdominal distension (11%) E
Abdominal pain (31%) E
Anorexia, weight loss (17%) E
Constipation (17%) E
Diarrhea (23%) E
Dyspepsia (14%) E
Mucositis (26%) E
Nausea, vomiting (57%) I  E
Weight gain (23%) E
General Edema (52%) E
Fatigue (66%) E
Hypothermia (3%) I  E
Other (25%) (retinoic acid syndrome) I  E
Hematological Basophilia (severe-rare) E
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (26%) E
Hemorrhage (60%) E
Leukocytosis (75%) (hyperleukocytosis) I  E
Thrombocytosis (rare) E
Hepatobiliary ↑ LFTs (60%) E
Pancreatitis (rare) E
Infection Infection (58%) E
Metabolic / Endocrine Acidosis (3%) E
↑ Ca (rare) E
Hyperlipidemia (60%) (increased cholesterol and triglycerides) E
Hyperuricemia E
Musculoskeletal Musculoskeletal pain (77%) E
Myositis (rare) E
Nervous System Anxiety (17%) E
Confusion (11%) E
Depression (14%) E  D
Dizziness (20%) E
Headache (86%) I  E
Insomnia (14%) E
Other (9%) (pseudotumour cerebri) E
Paresthesia (17%) E
Ophthalmic Conjunctivitis (rare) E
Other (17%) (visual disturbance) E
Photophobia (rare) E
Renal Nephrotoxicity (11%) E  D
Respiratory Bronchospasm E
Cough, dyspnea (60%) E
Lung infiltrate (6%) E
Pleural effusion (20%) E
Vascular Vasculitis (rare) E


* "Incidence" may refer to an absolute value or the higher value from a reported range.
"Rare" may refer to events with < 1% incidence, reported in post-marketing, phase 1 studies,
isolated data or anecdotal reports.

** I = immediate (onset in hours to days)     E = early (days to weeks)
D = delayed (weeks to months)      L = late (months to years)

Hypervitaminosis A syndrome is seen in at least 25% of patients, with rash, dry skin and mucosa, edema, nausea, vomiting, bone pain. Headache occurring several hours after tretinoin ingestion is the most common side effect. It differs from that associated with pseudotumour cerebri in that it is often transient, mild in intensity and well-controlled with mild analgesics. Patients usually develop tolerance with continued tretinoin therapy.

 

Retinoic acid syndrome (RAS) occurs in 20-25% of patients, and is characterized by some or all of the following symptoms: fever, dyspnea, hypotension, bone pain, weight gain, edema, respiratory distress, pulmonary infiltrates, hyperleukocytosis, pleural or pericardial effusion, congestive heart failure, hepatic / renal failure, multi-organ failure and may be fatal. Due to the severity and poor prognosis of the syndrome once the full-blown signs have been developed, prophylaxis or early treatment with chemotherapy, corticosteroids or temporary interruption is required (section E)

 

Basophilia/ Hyperhistaminemia: Basophilia-associated hyperhistaminemia has been rarely reported in patients with rare basophilic variants of APL. The severity of symptoms depends on the level of plasma histamine. Severe symptoms include tachycardia, shock due to vasodilatation, gastric and duodenal ulceration. Prophylactic H2 or H1 antagonist has been used to prevent symptoms mediated via H2 and H1 receptors.

 

Pseudotumour cerebri syndrome: Also known as benign or idiopathic intracranial hypertension, it is characterized by signs and symptoms of intracranial hypertension without evidence of infective or space occupying lesions. Symptoms include severe headache which may be aggravated by analgesic or narcotic overuse, nausea and vomiting, papilledema, retinal hemorrhages, visual changes (e.g., intermittent visual loss), and ophthalmoplegia. Cases reported onset of symptoms from 3-17 days to 6 months of tretinoin therapy. Pseudotumour cerebri is more common in children than in adults and may be due to their increased sensitivity to the CNS effects of tretinoin. The cause and appropriate management of pseudotumour cerebri have not been established, but the risk is increased with other drugs known to cause pseudotumour cerebri such as tetracyclines. Narcotic analgesics, corticosteroids, or temporary discontinuation of tretinoin in non-responding cases may help reduce severe headache, nausea and vomiting. Diuretics (acetazolamide, furosemide) or lumbar puncture may reduce CSF pressure.

 

Sweet's syndrome is a hyperinflammatory reaction of neutrophil infiltration of the skin and internal organs. Symptoms include fever, painful erythematous cutaneous plaques involving the extremities and the trunk, and prominent musculoskeletal involvement (e.g., myositis, fasciitis). The onset of symptoms is about 7-34 days of tretinoin therapy. The cause of the syndrome is unknown and symptoms generally resolve within 48 hours of corticosteroid therapy.

 

 

 
E - Dosing

Refer to protocol by which patient is being treated. Consolidation chemotherapy should be considered after complete response to tretinoin as well as during therapy depending on white cell count.

Adults:

Oral:  45 mg/m2/day (Round dose to the nearest 10 mg) in 2 divided doses. 
Continue for 30 days to a maximum of 90 days until complete remission and then give consolidation chemotherapy (anthracycline + cytarabine).

 


Dosage with Toxicity:

Baseline
WBC x 10/L

 

During Treatment
WBC x 10/L

Action
> 5
AND
At any time

Add anthracycline-based chemotherapy.      

< 5
AND

  6,  day 1 - day 6
OR
 
10, day 7 – day 10
OR
 
15, day 11 – day 28

Add full-dose anthracycline-based chemotherapy

Retinoic Acid Syndrome and Toxicity:

  • For patients with early signs of the syndrome any time during tretinoin therapy, start dexamethasone 10 mg IV every 12 hours for at least 3 days until symptom resolution.
  • Consider temporary interruption of tretinoin with moderate or severe retinoic acid syndrome
  • Reduce dose in the event of intractable headaches


Dosage with Hepatic Impairment:

Reduced dose of 25 mg/m2/day is recommended as a precautionary measure, as studies have not been done in patients with hepatic impairment.  Consider withholding tretinoin in patients with serum transaminase concentrations greater than 5 x ULN. (AHFS 2013)

Dosage with Renal Impairment:

Reduced dose of 25 mg/m2/day is recommended as a precautionary measure, as studies have not been done in patients with renal impairment.

Dosage in the elderly:

No adjustment is required.

Children:

Few studies or data are available.  Same dosage as for adults.  There appears to be an increased risk of pseudotumour cerebri.

 



 
F - Administration Guidelines

  • Oral self-administration; drug available by outpatient prescription.
  • Should be administered with food.
  • Tretinoin capsules should not be opened.
  • Avoid grapefruit, starfruit, Seville oranges, their juices or products during treatment.
  • Store at room temperature (15-30°C); protect from heat and direct light.


 
G - Special Precautions
Contraindications:

  • patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to tretinoin or related compounds (e.g. acitretin, isotretinoin, vitamin A)
  • patients taking vitamin A

Other Warnings/Precautions:

  • Use with caution with antifibrinolytic agents (as fatal thrombosis may occur) and with tetracyclines
  • Overdose may result in symptoms of hypervitaminosis A; no specific antidote is available but patients should be closely monitored.
  • Patients who are drowsy or who have headaches may have reduced ability to operate heavy machinery or motor vehicles.


Other Drug Properties:

  • Carcinogenicity: Yes

Pregnancy and Lactation:
  • Embryotoxicity: Yes
  • Teratogenicity: Yes
    Tretinoin is highly teratogenic with a high risk of severe malformations; therefore, it is contraindicated in pregnancy and in women who might become pregnant during or within one month of treatment cessation.  All patients of childbearing potential should use effective contraception at least 4 weeks prior to treatment, during and for at least 1 month after treatment cessation. Therapy should not begin until the second or third day of the next normal menstrual period and a pregnancy test should be negative within 2 weeks before starting treatment (Refer to product monograph for full details).  Low dose progesterone contraceptives should not be used.
  • Lactation: Contraindicated
  • Fertility effects: Yes
 
H - Interactions

AGENT EFFECT MECHANISM MANAGEMENT
Drugs inducing P450 (rifampicin, glucocorticoids, Phenobarbital, etc) ↓ blood levels of tretinoin Induces tretinoin metabolism Avoid concurrent therapy or use with caution
Ketoconazole and drugs inhibiting p450 (cimetidine, erythromycin, cyclosporine, etc) ↑ tretinoin AUC Inhibits tretinoin metabolism Avoid concurrent therapy
Progesterone (low dose) ↓ contraceptive efficacy of progestogens Unknown Avoid concurrent therapy; use alternative methods for contraception
Tetracyclines May ↑ intracranial blood pressure/ pseudotumour cerebri Additive Avoid concurrent therapy
Vitamin A May ↑ Tretinoin toxicity Additive CONTRAINDICATED
Antifibrinolytic agents (e.g. tranexamic acid, aminocaproic acid, aprotinin) ↑ risk of thrombosis Additive Avoid concomitant use or use with caution
Hydroxyurea Massive cell lysis and marrow necrosis Synergistic (tretinoin induces cells to enter S phase; hydroxyurea cytotoxic to S phase cells) Avoid concomitant use
 
I - Recommended Clinical Monitoring

Recommended Clinical Monitoring

Monitor Type Monitor Frequency
Pregnancy test in patients of childbearing potential Baseline (within 2 weeks before treatment starts) and at each month
Renal function tests Baseline and regular
Liver function tests Baseline and regular
CBC & coagulation Baseline and frequent (weekly for the first month)
Clinical toxicity assessment (including skin, headache, bleeding, infection, Retinoic Acid Syndrome).

Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version

Suggested Clinical Monitoring

Monitor Type Monitor Frequency
Cholesterol and triglycerides Baseline and regular
 
J - Supplementary Public Funding

Exceptional Access Program (EAP Website)

  • tretinoin (ATRA)

 
K - References

Gillis JC, Goa KL. Tretinoin. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties and use in the management of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Drugs 1995; 50(5):897-923.

Koike T, Tatewaki W, Aoki A, et al. Brief report: severe symptoms of hyperhistaminemia after the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid).  N Engl J Med 1992;327(6):385-7.

McEvoy GK, editor. AHFS Drug Information 2013. Bethesda: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, p. 1226-30.

Shimamoto Y, Suga K, Yamaguchi M, et al. Prophylaxis of symptoms of hyperhistaminemia after the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with all-trans retinoic acid. Acta Haematol 1994;92(2):109-12.  Tretinoin drug monograph. BCCA Cancer Drug Manual, February 2014.

Product monograph: Vesanoid (tretinoin). Xediton Pharmaceuticals. October 3, 2013.

Tretinoin drug monograph. BCCA Cancer Drug Manual, February 2014.

Yeh YC, Tang HF, Fang IM. Pseudotumor cerebri caused by all-trans-retinoic acid treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2006 May-Jun;50(3):295-6.


June 2019 Updated emetic risk category.

 
L - Disclaimer

Refer to the New Drug Funding Program or Ontario Public Drug Programs websites for the most up-to-date public funding information.

The information set out in the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information (for health professionals) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects of a particular drug, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition. The information in the Formulary is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.

The format and content of the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information contained in the Formulary will change as they are reviewed and revised on a periodic basis. The date of last revision will be visible on each page of the monograph and regimen. Since standards of usage are constantly evolving, it is advised that the Formulary not be used as the sole source of information. It is strongly recommended that original references or product monograph be consulted prior to using a chemotherapy regimen for the first time.

Some Formulary documents, such as the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets and symptom management information (for patients), are intended for patients. Patients should always consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions regarding any information set out in the Formulary documents.

While care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in the Formulary, such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability.

CCO and the Formulary’s content providers shall have no liability, whether direct, indirect, consequential, contingent, special, or incidental, related to or arising from the information in the Formulary or its use thereof, whether based on breach of contract or tort (including negligence), and even if advised of the possibility thereof. Anyone using the information in the Formulary does so at his or her own risk, and by using such information, agrees to indemnify CCO and its content providers from any and all liability, loss, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising from such person’s use of the information in the Formulary.