Avitra Gel belongs to a class of drugs called retinoids (similar to vitamin A). Avitra Gel is used to treat acute promyelocytic leukaemia (a type of blood problem). Acute promyelocytic leukaemia is a blood cancer that causes a marked increase in a type of immature white blood cells known as promyelocytes in the blood and bone marrow. 

Avitra Gel contains Tretinoin, a form of vitamin A that works by reducing the excessive production of abnormal blood cells and stimulates the growth of normal, mature cells in blood and bone marrow. Thus, helps in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia.

Take Avitra Gel as prescribed. Your doctor will advise you how often you need to take Avitra Gel based on your medical condition. Some people may experience dizziness, headache, feeling tired, stomach pain, irregular heartbeat, hair loss, bone or joint pain, dry skin and changes in eyesight or hearing. Most of these side effects of Avitra Gel do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor. 

If you are allergic to Tretinoin, peanuts, soya or any other ingredients in Avitra Gel, please tell your doctor. Avoid taking Avitra Gel if you are pregnant as it may harm the foetus. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Avitra Gel as it is excreted into breast milk and may harm the baby. Avoid taking Avitra Gel if you are taking other retinoid medicines (acitretin, tazarotene, isotretinoin), vitamin A and tetracyclines (antibiotics). If you are allergic to any sugars, please inform your doctor before taking Avitra Gel as it may contain sorbitol.

Avitra Gel is a form of vitamin A that is primarily used to treat acute promyelocytic leukaemia (a type of blood problem). Avitra Gel reduces the excessive production of abnormal blood cells and stimulates the growth of normal, mature cells in blood and bone marrow. Thus, helps in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia.  

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Feeling tired
• Stomach pain
• Irregular heartbeat
• Hair loss
• Bone or joint pain
• Dry skin
• Changes in eyesight or hearing

If you are allergic to Tretinoin, peanuts, soya or any other ingredients, please tell your doctor. Avoid taking Avitra Gel if you are pregnant as it may harm the foetus. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Avitra Gel as it is excreted into breast milk and may harm the baby. You are advised to use effective contraceptive methods while using Avitra Gel to prevent pregnancy. Avoid taking Avitra Gel if you are taking other retinoid medicines (acitretin, tazarotene, isotretinoin), vitamin A and tetracyclines (antibiotics). If you are allergic to any sugars, please inform your doctor before taking Avitra Gel as it may contain sorbitol.

Drug-Drug Interaction: Avitra Gel may interact with antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin, tetracyclines), vitamin A, retinoids, low-dose progestogens, antifungal (ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, fluconazole), corticosteroids (dexamethasone, prednisolone), anticonvulsants (phenobarbital), anti-HIV medicines (saquinavir, ritonavir), heart-related medicines (diltiazem, verapamil), drugs for stomach ulcers (cimetidine), immunosuppressant (ciclosporin) and medicines to reduce bleeding (aprotinin, aminocaproic acid, tranexamic acid).

Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found. 

Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have ever had any mental health problems including mood changes, depression or aggressive tendencies, inform your doctor before taking Avitra Gel.

• ERYTHROMYCIN
• CLARITHROMYCIN
• RIFAMPICIN
• TETRACYCLINE
• VITAMIN A
• KETOCONAZOLE
• ITRACONAZOLE
• POSACONAZOLE
• FLUCONAZOLE
• DEXAMETHASONE
• PREDNISOLONE
• PHENOBARBITAL
• SAQUINAVIR
• RITONAVIR
• DILTIAZEM
• VERAPAMIL
• CIMETIDINE
• CICLOSPORIN
• APROTININ
• AMINOCAPROIC ACID
• TRANEXAMIC ACID

• Eat 5 portions of vegetables and fruits in a day.

• Reduce the intake of salt and fat.

• Regular exercise may help to reduce depression and excessive tiredness after treatment.

• Start with gentle walking and once your white blood cell count comes back to normal, you can go swimming.

• Avoid alcohol consumption.

Avitra Gel may affect your mood and behaviour. Therefore, you are recommended to inform your family and friends that you are taking Avitra Gel so that they may notice any changes and help you identify problems that are needed to be discussed with your doctor.

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL): It is a blood cancer that causes a marked increase in a type of immature white blood cells known as promyelocytes in the blood and bone marrow. The symptoms of APL include blood in the urine, nosebleeds, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, unexplained bruising or excessive bleeding from small cuts.