Capmatinib

Capmatinib is used to treat a certain type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread to other parts of the body. Capmatinib 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?

Capmatinib comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken twice daily with or without food. Take capmatinib at around the same time(s) 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 capmatinib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it 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 capmatinib, do not take another dose. Continue your regular dosing schedule.

Your doctor may need to temporarily or permanently stop your treatment or decrease your dose of capmatinib during your treatment. This depends on how well the medication works for you and the side effects you experience. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with capmatinib.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.

Interestingly, Americans show more favor toward Medicare for All healthcare initiatives than they do toward these efforts when they are labeled as “single payer,” most likely due to the popularity of the Medicare program, STAT

🔔 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 capmatinib,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to capmatinib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in capmatinib 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. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• The following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with capmatinib: St. John’s Wort. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking capmatinib. Do not start any of these medications while taking capmatinib without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had lung disease or breathing problems other than from lung cancer, pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas), or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while you are taking capmatinib. You will need to have a pregnancy test before you start treatment, and you should use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for at least 1 week after your final dose. If you are a male with a female partner who may become pregnant, you should use birth control to prevent pregnancy during you treatment and for at least 1 week after your final dose. Capmatinib may harm your unborn baby. If you or your partner become pregnant during your treatment with capmatinib, call your doctor immediately.
• tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you are taking capmatinib and for at least 1 week after your final dose.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to 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?

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

• vomiting
• nausea
• diarrhea
• constipation
• muscle, bone, or back pain
• loss of appetite
• tiredness and weakness
• dizziness
• swelling in hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• rash

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 or trouble breathing, cough, fever, or other signs of infection
• chest pain
• pain in right upper part of the stomach; swelling in your stomach area; unusual bruising or bleeding; dark urine; yellowing of the skin and eyes; nausea, vomiting; light colored stools; loss of appetite
• ongoing pain that begins in the stomach area, but may spread to the back; nausea; vomiting; weight loss

Capmatinib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (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 medication in the container it in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it 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 your bottle. Discard any unused tablets 6 weeks after first opening the bottle.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines 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 has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

🔔 What other information should I know?

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

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.