Mektovi : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Why is this medication prescribed?

Mektovi (Binimetinib) is used together with encorafenib (Braftovi) to treat certain types of melanoma (a type of skin cancer) that has spread to other parts of the body or that cannot be removed by surgery. Mektovi is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of the abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps stop or slow the spread of cancer cells.

How should this medicine be used?

Mektovi (Binimetinib) comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food twice a day, about 12 hours apart. Take Mektovi at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you do not understand. Take Mektovi exactly as directed. Do not take more or less, or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

If you vomit after taking the medicine, do not take another dose. Continue with your usual dosing schedule.

Your doctor may temporarily or permanently decrease or stop your treatment depending on whether you experience any side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you feel during your treatment with Mektovi.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking Mektovi,

  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Mektovi, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Mektovi tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you closely for side effects.
  • Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart or liver disease.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You will need to take a pregnancy test before starting treatment. You must use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment with Mektovi and for 30 days after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about the birth control methods that will work for you. If you become pregnant while taking Mektovi, call your doctor immediately. Mektovi can harm the fetus.
  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while taking Mektovi and for 3 days after your final dose.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is within 6 hours of the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you forgot.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Mektovi may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • fatigue
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • abdominal pain
  • constipation
  • dizziness

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • vision changes or eye pain, swelling, or redness
  • fever, sore throat, chills, cough, or other signs of infection
  • yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, loss of appetite, fatigue, or pain or discomfort in right upper stomach area
  • unusual weakness, muscle pain, or dark red or brown urine
  • unusual bleeding or bruising; black, tarry, or bloody stools; or coughing up blood
  • shortness of breath or cough
  • sudden onset of difficulty breathing; chest pain; swelling of the feet, ankles, or lower legs; or leg pain, warmth, or swelling
  • fast, pounding heartbeat; shortness of breath; swelling of ankles and feet; or dizziness

Mektovi may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medicine.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children, since many containers (such as those containing weekly pills and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not child-resistant and small children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately place the medicine in a safe place, one that is upright and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure they cannot be consumed by pets, children, and others. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medications is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage / recycling department to find out about take-back programs in your community. Check out the FDA drug safe disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or is unable to wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor, eye doctor, and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests, including eye exams, to check your body’s response to Mektovi.

Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.

Brand Names

  • Mektovi®

Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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