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What is Mekinist
TrametinibThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryTrametinib dimethyl sulfoxide is a pill used to treat anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. The FDA approved use of Trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide in 2013. This medication is usually given with Mekinist (trametinib) and it is prescribed to people with a BRAF V600E gene mutation. Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare, aggressive type of thyroid cancer and accounts for 1 to 2 percent of all thyroid cancers.
Mekinistis the brand name
Mekinist Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Mekinist
Trametinib
2013
11
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Trametinib, also known as Mekinist, is approved by the FDA for 9 uses including Anaplasia and Complete Surgical Resection .Anaplasia
Used to treat Metastatic Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer in combination with Dabrafenib
Complete Surgical Resection
Used to treat Complete Surgical Resection in combination with Dabrafenib
lymph nodes
Used to treat lymph node involvement in combination with Dabrafenib
Metastatic Melanoma
Used to treat Metastatic Melanoma in combination with Dabrafenib
Treatment Naive
Used to treat Treatment Naive in combination with Dabrafenib
Therapeutic procedure
Used to treat inadequate alternative treatment options in combination with Dabrafenib
Unresectable or Metastatic Solid Tumors
Used to treat Unresectable or Metastatic Solid Tumors in combination with Dabrafenib
Unresectable Melanoma
Used to treat Unresectable Melanoma in combination with Dabrafenib
Malignant Neoplasms
Used to treat Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in combination with Dabrafenib
Effectiveness
How Mekinist Affects PatientsTrametinib is a drug used to treat cancer. It works by causing the death of cancer cells and preventing them from growing and multiplying.
How Mekinist works in the bodyTrametinib works by blocking two proteins, MEK1 and MEK2, which are responsible for cell growth. This action helps to treat melanomas with mutations in their BRAF gene. The mutated gene causes the BRAF pathway, which includes MEK1 and MEK2, to be constantly activated. Trametinib prevents this activation, helping to treat the melanoma.
When to interrupt dosage
The prescribed dose of Mekinist is contingent upon the diagnosed situation. The amount of dosage can be found in the table below, based on the method of delivery (e.g. Oral or Tablet, film coated - Oral).Condition
Dosage
Administration
Anaplasia
, 2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Complete Surgical Resection
, 2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Therapeutic procedure
, 2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Malignant Neoplasms
, 2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Metastatic Melanoma
, 2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Unresectable or Metastatic Solid Tumors
, 2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
lymph nodes
, 2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Unresectable Melanoma
, 2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Treatment Naive
, 2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Warnings
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Mekinist.Common Mekinist Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Almotriptan
Major
The metabolism of Almotriptan can be decreased when combined with Trametinib.
Aminophenazone
Major
The metabolism of Aminophenazone can be decreased when combined with Trametinib.
Amiodarone
Major
The metabolism of Amiodarone can be decreased when combined with Trametinib.
Amitriptyline
Major
The metabolism of Amitriptyline can be decreased when combined with Trametinib.
Amodiaquine
Major
The metabolism of Amodiaquine can be decreased when combined with Trametinib.
Mekinist Toxicity & Overdose RiskCommon side effects of trametinib include rash, diarrhea, and swelling in the lymph nodes. Common side effects of Tafinlar/trametinib include fever, chills, tiredness, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, swelling in the arms or legs, cough, headache, joint pain, night sweats, decreased appetite, constipation, and muscle pain. Other serious side effects include increased risk of new cancers, bleeding problems, blood clots, heart muscle problems, vision problems, severe fever, skin problems, high blood sugar, anemia, and harm to a fetus. Monitor patients for
Mekinist Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Mekinist?
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Metastatic Melanoma
93 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 3, Early Phase 1
Unresectable or Metastatic Solid Tumors
0 Actively Recruiting
lymph nodes
0 Actively Recruiting
Treatment Naive
0 Actively Recruiting
Complete Surgical Resection
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2
Therapeutic procedure
0 Actively Recruiting
Unresectable Melanoma
39 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Phase 3
Malignant Neoplasms
12 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Phase 1, Phase 2
Anaplasia
0 Actively Recruiting
Mekinist Reviews: What are patients saying about Mekinist?
5Patient Review
7/2/2022 Mekinist and taflinar have been absolutely instrumental in prolonging my life. I was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma that had metastasized to my lungs and other parts of my body, but after just three days of treatment with these drugs, the tumors started shrinking rapidly. I experienced very few side effects, mostly just fever and fatigue, which were both manageable. Today, almost five years later, I'm still alive and taking Mekinist and taflinar regularly.
3.3Patient Review
6/5/2021 After one month of taking this medication, my CA 125 levels returned to normal. However, I had to take a break due to liver enzymes and skin reactions. I'm back on the medication now and so far, so good.
3Patient Review
1/7/2014 I had to stop using this treatment after only three weeks because it caused severe leg cramps. However, in that short time I did notice a reduction in size of a tumor.
2Patient Review
11/28/2020 The side effects of this treatment were really tough to deal with. I had a rash on my face and scalp, as well as constant tooth pain. My legs and arms would cramp badly, and my scalp was so tender that even brushing my hair was painful. Even weeks after I stopped taking the medication, I'm still losing a lot of hair.
Patient Q&A Section about mekinist
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What is Mekinist used for?
"TAFINLAR and MEKINIST can be used in combination to treat non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has a certain type of abnormal BRAF V600E gene."
Answered by AI
What type of drug is Mekinist?
"Mekinist is the trade name for the generic chemotherapy drug trametinib. In some cases, health care professionals may refer to the trade name Mekinist as the generic name trametinib. Mekinist is a targeted therapy and an oral MEK inhibitor."
Answered by AI
Is Mekinist FDA approved?
"- Novartis announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for Tafinlar (dabrafenib) + Mekinist (trametinib) for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic solid tumors with BRAF V600E mutation who..."
Answered by AI