Tabrecta : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Why is this medication prescribed?

Tabrecta (Capmatinib) is used to treat a certain type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to other parts of the body. Tabrecta is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps slow or stop the spread of cancer cells.

How should this medicine be used?

Tabrecta (Capmatinib) comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken twice a day with or without food. Take Tabrecta 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 don’t understand. Take Tabrecta exactly as directed. Do not take more or less, or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

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

Your doctor may need to temporarily or permanently stop your treatment or reduce your dose of Tabrecta during your treatment. This depends on how well the medicine works for you and what side effects you experience. Be sure to tell your doctor how you feel during your treatment with Tabrecta.

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 Tabrecta,

  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Tabrecta, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Tabrecta tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amitriptyline, carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol, others); clarithromycin (in Biaxin); clozapine (Versacloz); corticosteroids; certain medicines for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) such as efavirenz (Sustiva, in Atripla), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Invirase); itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox, Tolsura); ketoconazole; nefazodone; Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal); phenobarbital; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); pioglitazone (Actos, in Duetact, Oseni); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampicin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifater); rosuvastatin (Crestor, Ezallor); verapamil (Verelan, in Tarka); or warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you closely for side effects. Many other medications can also interact with Tabrecta, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
  • Tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John’s wort.
  • Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had lung disease or breathing problems other than lung cancer or liver disease.Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while taking Tabrecta. You will need to take a pregnancy test before starting treatment, and you must use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for at least 1 week after your last dose. If you are a man with a female partner who can become pregnant, you must use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for at least 1 week after your final dose. Tabrecta can harm the fetus. If you or your partner become pregnant during your treatment with Tabrecta, call your doctor immediately.
  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you are taking Tabrecta and for at least 1 week after your final dose.
  • Plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and wear a hat, other protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

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?

Skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

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

  • vomiting
  • nausea
  • fatigue
  • constipation
  • weight loss
  • back pain
  • loss of appetite
  • tiredness
  • swelling in hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

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

  • shortness of breath, cough, fever, or other signs of infection
  • chest pain
  • pain in right upper part of the stomach; unusual bruising or bleeding; dark urine; yellowing of the skin and eyes; or loss of appetite

Tabrecta 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 its container, tightly closed and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Do not remove the desiccant (small cartridge included with the tablets to absorb moisture) from its bottle. Discard unused tablets 6 weeks after first opening the bottle.

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 resistant to children 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 that pets, children, and others cannot consume them. 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. See the FDA Safe Drug 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, has trouble breathing, or cannot wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain laboratory tests to check your body’s response to Tabrecta.

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

  • Tabrecta®

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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