Mekinist

Metastatic Melanoma, Unresectable or Metastatic Solid Tumors, Anaplasia + 6 more

Treatment

15 FDA approvals

2 Active Studies for Mekinist

What is Mekinist

Trametinib

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Trametinib 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.

Mekinist

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

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 15 uses including Malignant Neoplasms and Anaplasia .

Malignant Neoplasms

Used to treat Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in combination with Dabrafenib

Anaplasia

Used to treat Metastatic Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer in combination with Dabrafenib

Melanoma

Used to treat Melanoma in combination with Dabrafenib

Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Used to treat Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in combination with Dabrafenib

Metastatic Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Used to treat Metastatic Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer in combination with Dabrafenib

Treatment Naive

Used to treat Treatment Naive in combination with Dabrafenib

Melanoma

Used to treat Melanoma in combination with Dabrafenib

Unresectable Melanoma

Used to treat Unresectable Melanoma 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

Complete Surgical Resection

Used to treat Complete Surgical Resection in combination with Dabrafenib

Melanoma

Used to treat Unresectable Melanoma in combination with Dabrafenib

Therapeutic procedure

Used to treat inadequate alternative treatment options in combination with Dabrafenib

Metastatic Melanoma

Used to treat Metastatic Melanoma in combination with Dabrafenib

Unresectable or Metastatic Solid Tumors

Used to treat Unresectable or Metastatic Solid Tumors in combination with Dabrafenib

Effectiveness

How Mekinist Affects Patients

Trametinib 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 body

Trametinib 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

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

Anaplasia

, 2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral

Melanoma

, 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

Complete Surgical Resection

, 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

lymph nodes

, 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 Risk

Common 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

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Mekinist Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Mekinist?

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Metastatic Melanoma

0 Actively Recruiting

Treatment Naive

0 Actively Recruiting

lymph nodes

0 Actively Recruiting

Complete Surgical Resection

1 Actively Recruiting

Phase 2

Melanoma

0 Actively Recruiting

Anaplasia

0 Actively Recruiting

Therapeutic procedure

0 Actively Recruiting

Unresectable or Metastatic Solid Tumors

0 Actively Recruiting

Malignant Neoplasms

3 Actively Recruiting

Phase 1, Phase 2

Mekinist Reviews: What are patients saying about Mekinist?

5

Patient Review

7/2/2022

Mekinist for Malignant Melanoma with BRAF V600E Mutation

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.

3.3

Patient Review

6/5/2021

Mekinist for malignant tumor or cancer

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.

3

Patient Review

1/7/2014

Mekinist for Malignant Melanoma with BRAF V600K Mutation

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.

2

Patient Review

11/28/2020

Mekinist for malignant tumor or cancer

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.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

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 are the side effects of Mekinist?

"If you experience any of the following side effects, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately as they may worsen. These include: dizziness, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, stomach pain, dry/itchy skin, acne, dry mouth."

Answered by AI

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

Clinical Trials for Mekinist