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General Medication Fact Sheet for Mekinist
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Medication Name | Mekinist |
| Generic Name | Trametinib |
| Boxed/Label Warning | New primary malignancies, hemorrhage, and serious skin toxicities. |
| Purpose | Treatment of certain cancers, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and thyroid cancer. |
| Mechanism of Action | A kinase inhibitor that targets MEK1 and MEK2 proteins, which are part of the MAPK pathway. Inhibiting these proteins can block cancer cell growth. |
| Dosage Forms | Oral tablets |
| Available Strengths | 0.5 mg, 2 mg |
| Dosage Frequency | Usually once daily, or as directed by a healthcare provider. |
| Common Side Effects | Rash, diarrhea, fatigue, lymphedema, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. |
| Serious Side Effects | Cardiomyopathy, new primary malignancies, hemorrhage, ocular toxicities, serious skin toxicities, blood clots. |
| Drug Interactions | Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors and inducers, drugs that affect gastric pH. |
| Important Notes | Use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 4 months after the last dose; notify your doctor immediately if you experience any signs of heart problems, bleeding, or visual changes. |
| Storage | Store at room temperature away from moisture and light. |
| Missed Dose | If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose. Do not double the dose. |
| Alternatives | Cotellic (cobimetinib), Zelboraf (vemurafenib), Tafinlar (dabrafenib), BRAFTOVI (encorafenib) |
Mekinist Alternatives
| Medication | Mechanism of Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cotellic (cobimetinib) | MEK inhibitor | Often used in combination with BRAF inhibitors for melanoma. |
| Zelboraf (vemurafenib) | BRAF inhibitor | Used to treat melanoma with BRAF V600 mutations. |
| Tafinlar (dabrafenib) | BRAF inhibitor | Used to treat melanoma and other cancers with BRAF V600 mutations. |
| BRAFTOVI (encorafenib) | BRAF inhibitor | Used in combination with MEK inhibitors for melanoma. |
Mekinist Side Effects
| Common Side Effects | Serious Side Effects |
|---|---|
| Rash | Cardiomyopathy |
| Diarrhea | New primary malignancies |
| Fatigue | Hemorrhage |
| Lymphedema | Ocular toxicities (retinal vein occlusion, retinal pigment epithelial detachment) |
| Nausea | Serious skin toxicities (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) |
| Vomiting | Blood clots |
| Abdominal pain | Interstitial Lung Disease |
Mekinist Dosage Guide
| Condition | Starting Dose | Maintenance Dose | Administration Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melanoma (with BRAF inhibitor) | 2 mg | 2 mg once daily | Administer orally once daily. Can be taken with or without food. |
| Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (with dabrafenib) | 2 mg | 2 mg once daily | Administer orally once daily in combination with dabrafenib. Can be taken with or without food. |
| Thyroid Cancer (with dabrafenib) | 2 mg | 2 mg once daily | Administer orally once daily in combination with dabrafenib. Can be taken with or without food. |
Mekinist Price With And Without Insurance
| Purchase Context | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| With Insurance | $2,000 |
| Without Insurance (U.S.) | $20,000 |
| From Canada | $15,000 |
