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General Medication Fact Sheet for Tafinlar
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Medication Name | Tafinlar |
| Generic Name | Dabrafenib |
| Boxed/Label Warning | New primary cutaneous and non-cutaneous malignancies can occur. Perform dermatologic evaluations routinely. Serious bleeding events can occur, especially in patients with risk factors. |
| Purpose | BRAF inhibitor used to treat certain types of melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and thyroid cancer with specific BRAF V600 mutations. |
| Mechanism of Action | Inhibits BRAF kinases, which are involved in cell growth and proliferation in certain cancers. |
| Dosage Forms | Oral capsules |
| Available Strengths | 50 mg, 75 mg |
| Dosage Frequency | Typically twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart, or as directed by a healthcare provider. |
| Common Side Effects | Hyperkeratosis, headache, fever, arthralgia, fatigue, nausea, rash, alopecia. |
| Serious Side Effects | New primary malignancies, serious bleeding events, tumor promotion in BRAF wild-type tumors, severe skin reactions, uveitis, hyperglycemia. |
| Drug Interactions | Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors and inducers, drugs that prolong the QT interval. |
| Important Notes | Take on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Monitor for new skin lesions. |
| Storage | Store at room temperature away from moisture and light. |
| Missed Dose | If a dose is missed, it should not be taken if it is less than 6 hours until the next dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as remembered. |
| Alternatives | Trametinib (Mekinist), Vemurafenib (Zelboraf), Encorafenib (Braftovi), Ipilimumab (Yervoy) |
Tafinlar Alternatives
| Medication | Mechanism of Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trametinib (Mekinist) | MEK inhibitor | Often used in combination with BRAF inhibitors like dabrafenib for synergistic effect. |
| Vemurafenib (Zelboraf) | BRAF inhibitor | Similar to dabrafenib, used for BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma. |
| Encorafenib (Braftovi) | BRAF inhibitor | Used in combination with binimetinib (Mektovi) for BRAF V600E mutation-positive melanoma. |
| Ipilimumab (Yervoy) | CTLA-4 inhibitor | Immunotherapy agent used for melanoma, works by stimulating the immune system to attack cancer cells. |
Tafinlar Side Effects
| Common Side Effects | Serious Side Effects |
|---|---|
| Hyperkeratosis | New primary malignancies |
| Headache | Serious bleeding events |
| Fever | Severe skin reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome) |
| Arthralgia | Uveitis (inflammation of the eye) |
| Fatigue | Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) |
| Nausea | Tumor promotion in BRAF wild-type tumors |
| Rash | Cardiomyopathy |
| Alopecia | Pneumonitis |
Tafinlar Dosage Guide
| Condition | Starting Dose | Maintenance Dose | Administration Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melanoma (BRAF V600E mutation-positive) | 150 mg | 150 mg twice daily | Take on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Often used in combination with trametinib. |
| Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (BRAF V600E mutation-positive) | 150 mg | 150 mg twice daily | Take on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Used in combination with trametinib. |
| Thyroid Cancer (BRAF V600E mutation-positive, Anaplastic) | 150 mg | 150 mg twice daily | Take on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Used in combination with trametinib. |
Tafinlar Price With And Without Insurance
| Purchase Context | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| With Insurance | $350 |
| Without Insurance (U.S.) | $9,200 |
| From Canada | $8,725 |
