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Dabrafenib

Drug Class: Commonly Known As: Category:
BRAF Kinase Inhibitor Tafinlar Cancer-related

Dabrafenib - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Dabrafenib cause?

Common side effects include:

  • Dry skin, rash and itch
    • Moisturize your skin daily.
    • Avoid too much exposure to the sun as it may make the rash worse. Use sunscreen and covered clothing if you need to be under the sun for a long period of time.
  • Diarrhea
    • Drink plenty of clear fluids to replace those lost (2 litres everyday).
    • Avoid oily or spicy food and milk or dairy products.
  • Nausea (especially when taken together with Trametinib)
    • Take small, frequent meals throughout the day.
  • Feeling tired and lack of energy
    • Do not drive or operate machinery when you feel tired.
  • Joint or muscle ache
    • Apply a warm compress to the area that aches.
  • Mild fever
    • Drink more water to help cool your body down.
    • Place a cold towel on your forehead.
  • Hair loss

Rare but serious side effects include:

  • Fast heartbeat, chest pain, or unusual weakness, tiredness or light-headedness
  • Sudden onset of cough or shortness of breath
  • Fever of 38°C and above, especially with chills, pain or difficulty in passing urine
  • Unusual bleeding, bruising or black sticky stools
  • Dark urine or light coloured stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellowing of your eyes or skin
  • Very bad pain around the stomach area
  • Changes in eyesight or eye pain
  • New skin lesions
  • Redness, swelling, tenderness or peeling of skin on hands or feet

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

  • Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Before taking Dabrafenib , what precautions must I follow?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

  • You are allergic to this medication
  • You or your partner becomes pregnant or is planning for pregnancy
    • You should use effective birth control during and for 2 weeks after stopping Dabrafenib (or 4 months if used in combination with trametinib).
  • You are breastfeeding
    • Do not breastfeed during and for 2 weeks after stopping treatment (or 4 months if used in combination with trametinib).
  • You have any other medical conditions such as heart problems, diabetes or G6PD deficiency.

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Dabrafenib ?

​Avoid taking grapefruit when you are taking this medication as grapefruit may interact with your medication and increase the risk of side-effects.

Dabrafenib - Additional Information

​You may refer to the following website if you need more information: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/

  • Updated on 9/30/2019 12:00:00 AM
  • Article contributed by PSS National Medication Information Workgroup PSS National Medication Information Workgroup
The information provided is not intended as medical advice. Terms of use. Information provided by SingHealth

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