What Medications Are Used to Treat Melanoma?
While surgery is often a first-choice treatment for melanoma, medications can prevent recurrence. Here's how immunotherapy and chemotherapy drugs work for melanoma.
Tafinlar
Used for Melanoma
Used for Melanoma
Tafinlar (dabrafenib) is a targeted anticancer therapy that’s usually taken with another medication called Mekinist (trametinib). Tafinlar (dabrafenib) is used to treat many types of cancer that have a certain mutation known as a BRAF mutation. It comes as capsules that are swallowed whole, as well as special tablets that can be used to make a liquid that you drink (typically for children). Tafinlar (dabrafenib) can cause side effects such as fever, rash, and high blood sugar.
What is Tafinlar (dabrafenib)?
What is Tafinlar (dabrafenib) used for?
- Melanoma with certain BRAF mutations
- Advanced melanoma, given after surgery and used with Mekinist (trametinib)
- Melanoma that has spread (metastatic) or can’t be removed by surgery, used alone or with Mekinist (trametinib)
- Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a certain BRAF mutation, used with Mekinist (trametinib)
- Metastatic anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) with a certain BRAF mutation, used with Mekinist (trametinib)
- Solid tumors with a certain BRAF mutation that have spread (metastatic) or can’t be removed by surgery, used with Mekinist (trametinib)
- Low-grade glioma (LGG) with a certain BRAF mutation, used with Mekinist (trametinib)
How Tafinlar (dabrafenib) works
Tafinlar (dabrafenib) is a kinase inhibitor known as a BRAF inhibitor. The BRAF protein is part of a whole chain of proteins that help cells grow. When the BRAF protein is mutated, the cancer grows uncontrollably and can spread more quickly. By blocking BRAF, Tafinlar (dabrafenib) helps stop tumor growth.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Tafinlar |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | BRAF inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Tafinlar (dabrafenib) essentials
Side effects of Tafinlar (dabrafenib)
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 Tafinlar (dabrafenib). 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%)
- Changes in other blood test results (up to 57%)
- Rash (up to 42%)
- Nausea (up to 45%)
- Headache (up to 39%)
- Chills (up to 37%)
- Diarrhea (up to 33%)
- Vomiting (up to 33%)
- Cough (up to 29%)
- Muscle or joint pain (up to 28%)
- Constipation (up to 27%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Skin thickening
- Dry skin
- Rash on hands and feet
- Papilloma (non-cancerous, wart-like skin growth)
- Lower appetite
- Swelling in legs
- Bleeding
- Hair loss
- Trouble breathing
Tafinlar (dabrafenib) 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 eye problems: sudden and severe eye pain, sudden vision loss
- Serious skin reactions: painful blisters, skin wounds, peeling skin, fever, muscle aches
- Serious blood problems: fever, severe tiredness, weakness, trouble breathing
The following Tafinlar (dabrafenib) 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 gums
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
coughing up blood
difficulty in breathing or swallowing
dizziness
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
headache
increased hunger
increased thirst
increased urination
lump or growth on the skin
nosebleed
prolonged bleeding from cuts
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
skin blisters
skin rash
stomach pain
sweating
swelling of the feet or lower legs
tingling of the hands and feet
ulceration of the skin
unable to move
unexplained weight loss
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Less common
Blurred vision or other change in vision
change in color vision
difficulty seeing at night
increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
redness of the eye
tearing
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin
chills
joint or muscle pain
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on lips
swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
yellow eyes or skin
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
Back pain
difficulty having a bowel movement
fast heartbeat
hair loss or thinning of the hair
headache
indigestion
loss of appetite
muscle ache or stiffness
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
stuffy or runny nose
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.
Pros and cons of Tafinlar (dabrafenib)
Pros
- Recommended treatment option for certain people with melanoma, NSCLC, ATC, and low-grade glioma
- Taken by mouth, so it’s a good option for people who don’t like needles
- Works in a more specific, targeted way than traditional chemotherapy
- Special tablets available that can be used to make a liquid for children
Cons
- For most people, must take with a second medication
- Must take on an empty stomach
- Requires regular blood tests to check for side effects
- Commonly causes fever, tiredness, and rash
Pharmacist tips for Tafinlar (dabrafenib)
- You should take Tafinlar (dabrafenib) on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal). If you take the medication with food, it might not work as well.
- If you miss your Tafinlar (dabrafenib) dose and it’s more than 6 hours away from the time you usually take your next dose, take the medication as soon as possible. But if it’s less than 6 hours away from your next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until the next regularly scheduled time to take Tafinlar (dabrafenib). Don’t double up on your doses.
- If you vomit after taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib), don’t take an extra dose. Wait until the next regularly scheduled time to take Tafinlar (dabrafenib). Don’t take two doses at the same time.
- Contact your provider if you have a fever while you’re taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib), even if you don’t have other symptoms such as tiredness of chills. A fever that happens during treatment can be serious.
- If you have diarrhea while you’re taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib), make sure to stay well hydrated with plenty of fluids. Avoid sugary sports drinks, though, because they can make diarrhea worse. Your provider might recommend over-the-counter diarrhea medications, like loperamide (Imodium A-D), to help.
- If you have diabetes and you’re taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib), contact your provider if your blood sugar level is higher than usual. Taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib) can sometimes raise your blood sugar levels. For this reason, your provider might check your blood sugar levels more closely during treatment.
- If you’re a woman who’s able to have children, be sure to use non-hormonal birth control, such as condoms, while you’re taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib) and for 2 weeks after the last dose. It’s not safe to get pregnant during treatment because the medication might harm an unborn baby. Tafinlar (dabrafenib) might make hormonal birth control work less well.
- Keep Tafinlar (dabrafenib) and the desiccant (drying agent) in the original bottle at room temperature. This protects the medication from moisture.
Tips for the Tafinlar (dabrafenib) capsules:
- Swallow the capsule whole. Don’t open, crush, or break the capsule.
Tips for the Tafinlar (dabrafenib) tablets that are used to make a liquid:
- There’s a special tablet formulation of Tafinlar (dabrafenib) that can be turned into a liquid. This makes it easier for a child to take. If you’re the caregiver for a child who needs to take the liquid form of Tafinlar (dabrafenib), make sure you carefully follow the instructions from your child’s provider to prepare the liquid and give the medication to your child properly. Ask the provider if you have any questions.
- Mix the dissolvable tablets in water until they’re fully dissolved. If the dose is between 1 and 4 tablets, mix them with 5 milliliters (1 teaspoon) of water. If the dose is between 5 and 15 tablets, mix in 10 milliliters (2 teaspoons) of water. It can take at least 3 minutes to dissolve the tablets, and the mixture will look cloudy. Give your child the medication right after mixing.
Risks and warnings for Tafinlar (dabrafenib)
Tafinlar (dabrafenib) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
New cancers
Some people taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib) developed a new cancer. In studies, these cancers included different kinds of skin cancer and other cancer types. While you’re taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib), your provider will monitor you for new signs and symptoms of cancer, especially skin cancers.
Not for people with cancers without a BRAF mutation
Tafinlar (dabrafenib) isn’t recommended for people with cancers without a BRAF mutation. Lab studies have shown that if a BRAF inhibitor is used to treat a cancer that doesn’t have a BRAF mutation, it might cause cancer cells to grow. For this reason, BRAF inhibitors like Tafinlar (dabrafenib) should only be used in people with certain BRAF mutations. Your provider will confirm that you have a BRAF mutation before you start taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib).
Bleeding
Tafinlar (dabrafenib), taken with Mekinist (trametinib), can cause bleeding. This can include nosebleeds, bleeding in the gut, and rarely, bleeding in the brain. If you have any unusual bleeding, tell your provider right away. If it’s mild, your provider might pause Tafinlar (dabrafenib) and you might be able to restart it later at a lower dose. But sometimes, the medication must be permanently stopped.
Heart problems
Though uncommon, some people taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib) with Mekinist (trametinib) developed a heart condition where their heart doesn’t pump as well. Some people with this condition might not feel anything. But others might have symptoms like tiredness, trouble breathing, and swelling in the legs. Your provider will monitor how well your heart is pumping through imaging called an echocardiogram (echo). You’ll usually need imaging scans of your heart every 2 to 3 months while you’re taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib). If the scans show that your heart isn’t pumping as well as it should or if you experience related symptoms while you’re taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib), you might need to pause or stop the medication.
Eye problems
Rarely, people taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib) alone or with Mekinist (trametinib) developed swelling inside their eye, also called uveitis. Contact your provider if you have vision changes, eye pain, or light sensitivity. You’ll probably need an eye exam so your provider or ophthalmologist can check your eyes. Depending on how severe the swelling is, you might have to pause Tafinlar (dabrafenib) treatment and use eye drops to treat the eye problem.
Serious fever
People taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib) have developed a serious reaction with fever. Sometimes, fever is the only symptom; other times, people also experience chills, low blood pressure, and dehydration. If you have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, contact your provider as soon as possible. Your provider might recommend you take medications to lower your temperature, like acetaminophen (Tylenol). You also might need to pause taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib) until your fever goes away.
Serious skin problems
Rashes are common and aren’t usually serious for people taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib) with Mekinist (trametinib). But rarely, this medication can also cause severe and sometimes life-threatening skin reactions (that happen with or without infections), such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Tell your provider right away if you develop painful blisters, skin wounds, or peeling skin, as these are signs of a serious skin reaction that need immediate medical attention.
High blood sugar
- Risk factors: Diabetes
Some people with diabetes who took Tafinlar (dabrafenib) alone or together with Mekinist (trametinib) have had higher blood sugar levels. Sometimes, this effect requires starting or changing their diabetes medication to help manage blood sugar. Your provider will check your blood sugar levels while you’re taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib), especially if you have diabetes. If you check your own blood sugar at home and notice higher levels, contact your provider.
Caution in people with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
- Risk factors: History of G6PD deficiency
People with a rare genetic condition called G6PD deficiency who take Tafinlar (dabrafenib) are at risk of developing hemolytic anemia. This happens when red blood cells break down faster than they should. If you have G6PD deficiency and you’re taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib), contact your provider right away if you have symptoms of hemolytic anemia, such as severe tiredness, weakness, or swollen and tender stomach.
Serious blood problem
Rarely, people taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib) with Mekinist (trametinib) developed a serious blood condition called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). HLH might cause fever, low white blood cells, low red blood cells, and damage to organs such as the kidneys and liver. Seek medical attention right away if you have fever; swollen lymph nodes; or a tender, swollen stomach.
Harm to unborn baby
Based on animal studies, Tafinlar (dabrafenib) might harm an unborn baby or raise the risk for miscarriage (pregnancy loss). Because of these risks, if you’re a woman who can get pregnant, you should use birth control while taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib) and for 2 weeks after the last dose. It’s important to use non-hormonal birth control when you’re taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib) because this medication might make hormonal birth control methods, like birth control pills, work less well. If you’re a man taking Tafinlar (dabrafenib) and you have a partner who can have children, use condoms during sex until 2 weeks after your last dose. Tell your provider as soon as you can if you or your partner becomes pregnant during treatment.
Tafinlar (dabrafenib) dosage
Typical dosage for Tafinlar (dabrafenib)
- Adults: The typical dose is 150 mg by mouth twice a day (about 12 hours apart).
- Children: The dose is based on your child’s body weight. The typical dose ranges from 20 mg to 150 mg by mouth twice a day (about 12 hours apart).
Interactions between Tafinlar (dabrafenib) and other drugs
Tafinlar (dabrafenib) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Tafinlar (dabrafenib). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Fluconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Posaconazole
- Saquinavir
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Ziprasidone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abametapir
- Abiraterone Acetate
- Alfuzosin
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Anagrelide
- Apomorphine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Azithromycin
- Bedaquiline
- Boceprevir
- Buprenorphine
- Buserelin
- Ceritinib
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clozapine
- Cobicistat
- Conivaptan
- Crizotinib
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Dasatinib
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Desipramine
- Deslorelin
- Desogestrel
- Deutetrabenazine
- Dienogest
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Dolutegravir
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Doxepin
- Droperidol
- Drospirenone
- Ebastine
- Efavirenz
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Eribulin
- Erythromycin
- Escitalopram
- Estradiol
- Ethinyl Estradiol
- Ethynodiol
- Etonogestrel
- Famotidine
- Felbamate
- Fingolimod
- Flecainide
- Fluoxetine
- Formoterol
- Foscarnet
- Fosnetupitant
- Fosphenytoin
- Fostemsavir
- Galantamine
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemfibrozil
- Gemifloxacin
- Gestodene
- Glasdegib
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Granisetron
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Histrelin
- Hydroquinidine
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibutilide
- Idelalisib
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Indinavir
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Itraconazole
- Ivabradine
- Ivosidenib
- Lapatinib
- Lefamulin
- Leflunomide
- Lenvatinib
- Levofloxacin
- Levonorgestrel
- Lofexidine
- Lopinavir
- Lumefantrine
- Macimorelin
- Medroxyprogesterone
- Mefloquine
- Mestranol
- Methadone
- Methotrimeprazine
- Metronidazole
- Mifepristone
- Mirtazapine
- Mizolastine
- Moricizine
- Moxifloxacin
- Nafarelin
- Nefazodone
- Nelfinavir
- Netupitant
- Nilotinib
- Nomegestrol
- Norelgestromin
- Norethindrone
- Norfloxacin
- Norgestimate
- Norgestrel
- Octreotide
- Ofloxacin
- Olanzapine
- Ondansetron
- Osilodrostat
- Osimertinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Ozanimod
- Paliperidone
- Panobinostat
- Papaverine
- Paroxetine
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Pentamidine
- Perphenazine
- Pimavanserin
- Pipamperone
- Pitolisant
- Ponesimod
- Probucol
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Protriptyline
- Quetiapine
- Quinidine
- Quinine
- Ranolazine
- Ribociclib
- Rilpivirine
- Risperidone
- Ritonavir
- Segesterone
- Selpercatinib
- Sertindole
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Siponimod
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
- Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
- Solifenacin
- Sorafenib
- Sotalol
- Sulpiride
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Tamoxifen
- Telaprevir
- Telavancin
- Telithromycin
- Teriflunomide
- Tetrabenazine
- Tolterodine
- Toremifene
- Trazodone
- Triclabendazole
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Ulipristal
- Vandetanib
- Vardenafil
- Vemurafenib
- Venlafaxine
- Vilanterol
- Vinflunine
- Voclosporin
- Voriconazole
- Vorinostat
- Warfarin
- Zuclopenthixol
What are alternatives to Tafinlar (dabrafenib)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Tafinlar (dabrafenib). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Tafinlar (dabrafenib)
Tafinlar (dabrafenib) images
