Mekinist

Generic name:trametinib [ tra-ME-ti-nib ]
Drug class:Multikinase inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Oct 14, 2021.

What is Mekinist?

Mekinist is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Mekinist is used alone or in combination with another medicine called dabrafenib (Tafinlar) to treat certain types of cancer in people who have a "BRAF" gene mutation.

Mekinist is for use in treating:

• melanoma (skin cancer) that cannot be treated with surgery or has spread to other parts of the body, or to prevent melanoma from coming back after surgery;

• non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body; or

• advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer that has spread and for which there are no other treatment options.

Warnings

Using Mekinist with dabrafenib may increase your risk of developing a certain type of skin cancer. Ask your doctor about your specific risk. Tell your doctor if you notice new skin symptoms such as redness, warts, sores that will not heal, or a mole that has changed in size or color.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

To make sure you can safely take Mekinist, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, high blood pressure;

• diabetes;

• lung disease;

• liver or kidney disease;

• a stomach or intestinal disorder;

• eye problems (especially a problem with your retina); or

• bleeding problems, or a blood clot.

Using Mekinist with dabrafenib may increase your risk of developing new skin cancer. Ask your doctor about the risk. Tell your doctor if you notice new skin symptoms such as redness, warts, sores that will not heal, or a mole that has changed in size or color.

Trametinib can harm an unborn baby if the mother or the father is using this medicine.

• If you are a woman, you may need a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Use birth control while using Mekinist and for at least 4 months after your last dose.

• It may be harder for you get pregnant while using Mekinist. You should still use birth control to prevent pregnancy because the medicine can harm an unborn baby.

• If you are a man, use condoms if your sex partner is pregnant or is able to get pregnant, even if you've had a vasectomy. Keep using condoms for at least 4 months after your last dose.

• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs.

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