The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
The following side effects were reported in adults taking Mekinist (trametinib). Side effects might differ depending on the cancer you have and in children.
- High blood sugar (up to 71%)
- Higher liver enzymes in the blood (up to 64%)
- Fever (up to 63%)
- Tiredness (up to 59%)
- Rash (up to 57%)
- Nausea (up to 45%)
- Headache (up to 39%)
- Chills (up to 37%)
- Diarrhea (up to 43%)
- Vomiting (up to 33%)
- Dry skin (up to 31%)
- Lower appetite (up to 29%)
- Bleeding (up to 29%)
- Cough (up to 29%)
- Muscle or joint pain (up to 28%)
- Swelling in legs (up to 28%)
- Constipation (up to 27%)
- Stomach pain (up to 26%)
- High blood pressure (up to 26%)
- Trouble breathing (up to 20%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
Mekinist serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Bleeding: nosebleed, blood in stool, sudden and severe headache
- Serious gut problems: sudden stomach pain, fever, blood in stool
- Blood clots: swelling or warm, red skin in one arm or one leg; sudden trouble breathing; chest pain
- Serious eye problems: sudden and severe eye pain, sudden vision loss
- Serious lung problems: sudden cough, fever, trouble breathing, tightness in chest
- Serious skin reactions: painful blisters, skin wounds, peeling skin, fever, muscle aches
- Serious blood problems: fever, severe tiredness, trouble breathing
Source: DailyMed
The following Mekinist side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Bleeding from the rectum or bloody stools
bleeding gums
blemishes on the skin
blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
bloody nose
blurred vision
chest discomfort or pain
cracked, dry, or scaly skin
coughing up blood
decreased urine output
difficulty with breathing or swallowing
dilated neck veins
extreme tiredness or weakness
fast, slow, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
headache
increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
irregular breathing
lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
nervousness
nosebleeds
paralysis
pounding in the ears
prolonged bleeding from cuts
rapid weight gain
rash
red or black, tarry stools
red or dark brown urine
redness, swelling, or pain of the skin
scaling of the skin on the hands and feet
tightness in the chest
tingling of the hands and feet
ulceration of the skin
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight gain or loss
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas, pus at the root of the hair
change in taste
dark urine
itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin
loosening of the fingernails
loss of taste
muscle cramp, pain, stiffness, or spasm
redness or soreness around the fingernails
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
thirst
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other Mekinist articles
