This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Mekinist
Brand Names: Canada
Mekinist
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat cancer.
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
If your child is breast-feeding a baby:
- Be sure your child does not breast-feed a baby while taking this drug and for 4 months after the last dose.
This drug may interact with other drugs or health problems.
Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Sometimes, dabrafenib is taken with trametinib. If your child is taking dabrafenib with trametinib, be sure you know the side effects that can happen with each drug. When these drugs are taken together, the chance of certain side effects may be raised. These side effects can be severe and sometimes deadly. This includes bleeding, bleeding in the brain, blood clots, eye problems, fever, heart problems (like heart failure), high blood sugar, other cancers, and severe skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Talk with the doctor about the chance of side effects with your child’s drugs.
- High blood pressure has happened with this drug. Have your child’s blood pressure checked as you have been told by the doctor.
- Have your child’s blood work checked and eye exams as you have been told by your child’s doctor.
- Blood clots have happened with this drug. Blood clots can be life-threatening. Tell the doctor if your child has ever had a blood clot. Talk with the doctor.
- Severe and sometimes deadly bleeding problems have happened with this drug.
- An immune system problem called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) has happened with this drug. Call the doctor right away if your child has a fever, swollen gland, rash, or swelling in the stomach area or severe stomach pain.
- This drug may cause fertility problems. This may affect being able to have children. Talk with the doctor.
- If your child is of childbearing age, a pregnancy test will need to be done before starting this drug to make sure your child is not pregnant.
If your child is or may be sexually active:
- Have your child use birth control while taking this drug and for some time after the last dose. Ask the doctor how long your child must use birth control. If your child becomes pregnant, call the doctor right away.
- If your child’s sex partner is pregnant or may get pregnant, they must use a condom during sex while your child takes this drug and for some time after the last dose. They must use a condom even if your child has had a vasectomy. Ask the doctor how long your child needs to use a condom. If your child’s sex partner is pregnant or gets pregnant, call the doctor right away.
What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
- Signs of lung or breathing problems like shortness of breath or other trouble breathing, cough, or fever.
- Signs of fluid and electrolyte problems like mood changes, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, fast or abnormal heartbeat, severe dizziness or passing out, increased thirst, seizures, feeling very tired or weak, decreased appetite, unable to pass urine or change in the amount of urine produced, dry mouth, dry eyes, or severe upset stomach or throwing up.
- Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
- Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
- A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
- Fever or chills.
- Redness or irritation of the palms of hands or soles of feet.
- Call the doctor right away if your child has signs of a blood clot like chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; shortness of breath; swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm; or trouble speaking or swallowing.
- Severe eye problems (including retinal detachment) have happened with this drug. These problems can lead to blindness. Call the doctor or get medical help right away if your child starts to see halos or bright colors around lights, flashing lights, floaters, a curtain-like shadow coming across the eye, or has sudden eyesight loss.
- This drug may cause heart failure. Your child’s heart function will need to be checked while taking this drug. Call the doctor right away if your child has signs of heart problems like a cough or shortness of breath that is new or worse, swelling of the ankles or legs, an abnormal heartbeat, weight gain of more than 5 pounds in 24 hours, dizziness, or passing out.
- A bowel problem (colitis) and holes in the bowel have happened with this drug. Sometimes, these have been deadly. Call the doctor right away if your child has diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, fever, or very upset stomach.
- Skin reactions are common with this drug. However, severe skin reactions may also happen. This may include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Sometimes, body organs may also be affected. These reactions can be deadly. Get medical help right away if your child has signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; red or irritated eyes; sores in the mouth, throat, nose, eyes, genitals, or any areas of skin; fever; chills; body aches; shortness of breath; or swollen glands.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:
- Pimples (acne).
- Dry skin.
- Change in nails.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Feeling tired or weak.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
All products:
- Give this drug at the same time of day.
- Give this drug on an empty stomach. Give at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
- If your child’s weight changes, talk with the doctor. The dose of this drug may need to be changed.
- If your child throws up after taking a dose, do not repeat the dose. Give the next dose at your child’s normal time.
- Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well.
Tablets:
- Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
Solution:
- Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure this drug.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is less than 12 hours until your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
Tablets:
- Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
- Keep tablets in the bottle they come in and do not move to a pill holder.
- Store in the original container. Do not take out the antimoisture cube or packet.
Solution:
- Store in the original bottle at room temperature. Do not freeze.
- This drug will be mixed by the pharmacist. Throw away this drug 35 days after it was mixed. Be sure you know the right day to throw away this drug.
All products:
- Protect from light.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2023-06-13
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