Dabrafenib
Dabrafenib is used alone or in combination with trametinib (Mekinist) to treat certain types of melanoma (a type of skin cancer). It is also used in combination with trametinib to prevent the return of a certain type of melanoma after surgery. Dabrafenib is also used in combination with trametinib to treat certain types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and thyroid cancer. It is also used in combination with trametinib to treat certain types of solid tumors in adults and children 6 years of age or older and to treat a certain type of glioma (a type of cancerous brain tumor) in children 1 year of age or older. Dabrafenib 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 stop the spread of cancer cells.
🔔 How should this medicine be used?
Dabrafenib comes as a capsule to take by mouth and as a tablet to suspend in water and take by mouth. It is usually taken twice a day on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Take dabrafenib about 12 hours apart at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take dabrafenib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking dabrafenib without talking to your doctor.
Swallow the capsules whole; do not open, break, or crush them. Tell your doctor if you cannot swallow the capsules whole.
If you are taking the tablets for oral suspension, you will need to mix them with water before use. Do not swallow these tablets whole, and do not chew or crush them. If you are taking 1 to 4 tablet(s), place 1 teaspoonful (5 mL) of cool drinking water in a dosing cup. If you are taking 5 to 15 tablets, place 2 teaspoons (10 mL) of water in a dosing cup. Place the prescribed number of tablets into the water in the cup and stir for 3 minutes or until the mixture is completely dissolved; the mixture will appear cloudy. Drink the mixture right after mixing it or within 30 minutes. Add 1 teaspoonful (5 mL) of water to the dosing cup, stir, and drink the liquid to rinse out any particles that are still in the cup; repeat rinsing dosing with another teaspoonful of water if you are taking 5 to 15 tablets. Dispose of the mixture if it is not used after 30 minutes.
If you vomit after you take dabrafenib, do not take another dose. Continue your regular dosing schedule.
Your doctor may adjust your dose or temporarily or permanently stop your treatment depending on your response to treatment and any side effects that you experience. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment.
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Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with dabrafenib and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer’s website to obtain the Medication Guide.
🔔 Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
