trametinib

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Pronunciation: tra ME ti nib

Brand: Mekinist

What is the most important information I should know about trametinib?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is trametinib?

Trametinib is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Trametinib is used to treat a certain type of metastatic melanoma (skin cancer that has spread to other parts of the body). Trametinib is sometimes given together with another medicine called dabrafenib (Tafinlar).

Trametinib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking trametinib?

You should not use trametinib if you are allergic to it.

To make sure trametinib is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • heart disease;
  • high blood pressure;
  • lung disease;
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
  • a history of eye problems (especially a problem with your retina);
  • if you have ever had a blood clot; or
  • if you have ever been treated with dabrafenib or vemurafenib to treat your melanoma.

Using trametinib may increase your risk of developing other types of skin cancer. Ask your doctor about your specific risk. Tell your doctor if you notice any new skin symptoms such as redness, sores that will not heal, or a mole that has changed in size or color.

Do not use trametinib if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use effective birth control while you are using this medication and for at least 4 months after your treatment ends.

Trametinib can make birth control pills, patches, or injections less effective. Ask your doctor about using non hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking trametinib.

This medication may affect fertility (your ability to have children), whether you are a man or a woman.

It is not known whether trametinib passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How should I take trametinib?

Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you have the correct tumor type to be treated with trametinib.

Trametinib is usually taken once daily. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take trametinib on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Your doctor will need to check your skin on a regular basis while you are using trametinib.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your heart function may need to be checked with an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG) every 2 or 3 months during your treatment. You may also need regular vision examinations while taking trametinib.

Store in the refrigerator and protect from light. Do not freeze. Keep the tablets in their original container, along with the packet or canister of moisture-absorbing preservative. Do not store trametinib tablets in a pill box.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if your next dose is less than 12 hours away. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking trametinib?

This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.

What are the possible side effects of trametinib?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some side effects are more likely to occur if you take trametinib and dabrafenib together. Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • dry cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath;
  • eye pain or swelling, vision changes, seeing halos around lights, seeing color "dots" in your vision;
  • severe skin rash, skin pain, redness or warmth, redness and peeling skin on your hands or feet;
  • high blood sugar --increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss;
  • inflammation or bleeding in your stomach or intestines --fever, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea;
  • dangerously high blood pressure --severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, dizziness;
  • signs of bleeding --weakness, dizziness, headache, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
  • signs of a blood clot --chest pain, sudden cough or trouble breathing, pain or swelling in an arm or leg, pale skin or cold feeling in an arm or leg; or
  • signs of a heart problem --shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), pounding heartbeats, swelling in your feet or ankles.

Common side effects may include:

  • diarrhea;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • increased blood pressure;
  • fever, chills, swollen glands;
  • swelling; or
  • rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect trametinib?

Other drugs may interact with trametinib, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about trametinib.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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