This is an automatically translated article.
Mekinist is the trade name for the generic chemotherapy drug trametinib. In some cases, healthcare professionals may use the generic name trametinib when referring to the trade name of Mekinist.
1. What does Mekinist do?
Mekinist may be used alone or in combination with another medicine (dabrafenib) to treat skin cancer (melanoma). It is also used with dabrafenib to treat thyroid cancer and non-small cell lung cancer-NSCLC.
Mekinist's mechanism of action is to slow the growth of cancer cells.
2. How to use Mekinist properly?
Use Mekinist correctly as follows:
Read the leaflet before you start taking Mekinist. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take Mekinist by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily and at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. The dose of Mekinist medicine will be examined and prescribed by your doctor based on your health. Do not arbitrarily increase or decrease the dose, but should use the drug exactly as prescribed by the doctor to promote the effectiveness of treatment and limit side effects. Pregnant women should consult their doctor before using Mekinist.
Nên sử dụng thuốc Mekinist bằng đường uống theo chỉ dẫn của bác sĩ để đạt hiểu quả tốt nhất.
3. Mekinist drug side effects
Dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, dry skin, itching, acne and dry mouth may occur when using Mekinist. If any of these side effects persist or get worse, tell your doctor right away. To relieve dry mouth, suck on hard candy (sugar-free), shaved ice, chew gum (sugar-free), drink water, or use a saliva substitute.
In addition to the above side effects, Mekinist may cause other side effects such as:
Mouth ulcers, swelling and pain in the throat: In this case, you should eat soft food, gently clean your teeth and rinse your mouth. mouth with physiological saline. Increases blood pressure : Measure and check your blood pressure when you have symptoms after taking the medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects such as: signs of heart failure (difficulty breathing, swelling in your ankles or feet, unusual tiredness, sudden unusual weight gain); signs of lung disease (such as cough, shortness of breath, rapid breathing); signs of a skin infection (red, flaky skin); Muscle damage (muscle pain, weakness, unusual tiredness); kidney problems (change in the amount of urine) or symptoms of easy bleeding, bruising, fever, chills. The side effects are very serious such as: Pain, swelling, redness and changes in vision; signs of bleeding in the brain (severe headache, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, seizures, or confusion); have severe stomach problems (severe abdominal pain, bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds) or have chest pain or trouble breathing. Trametinib in combination with dabrafenib may cause blood sugar to rise, cause or worsen diabetes. Therefore, tell your doctor immediately if you have symptoms such as: Increased thirst, frequent urination. In case you already have diabetes, check your blood sugar as often as directed and share the results with your doctor. Although Mekinist is used to treat some skin cancers, it rarely causes new skin cancers or other cancers. However, tell your doctor if you notice unusual changes in your skin, such as sores on your skin, warts, a change in the size and color of a mole, a bleeding skin bump, or not heal. Trametinib can cause a rash, but it's usually not serious. However, you may not be able to tell if it's a common rash or a sign of a serious reaction. Therefore, seek medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: Skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, itching, severe dizziness, trouble breathing . This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Therefore, if you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor for proper advice.
Nổi mụn trứng cá là một trong những tác dụng phụ phổ biến khi sử dụng thuốc Mekinist.
4. Preventing side effects of the drug Mekinist
Before using trametinib, talk to your doctor about allergies and history of blood, diabetes, eye or stomach and intestinal diseases (such as diverticulitis). The medicine may make you dizzy or have blurred vision. Therefore, do not use stimulants such as alcohol or beer. Swollen hands and feet, loss of appetite may be due to sensitivity to the side effects of the drug. So please inform your doctor for proper treatment. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not use or breathe dust from the tablets. Therefore, let your doctor know if you suspect or are pregnant. Women should consult their doctor about contraception while using this medicine and for 4 months after the last dose. Men (including those who have had a vasectomy) with female partners of reproductive age should also use condoms. Because of the possible risk in the neonate, breast-feeding while using this medicine and 4 months after the last dose is not recommended.
5. What drug interactions can occur when taking Mekinist?
Using dabrafenib together with trametinib may increase the risk of serious skin reactions, bleeding, blood clots, and serious febrile events.
Contact your doctor if you develop a red, purple rash; fever; severe weakness, unusual bleeding or bruising; shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling of the arms and legs.
In particular, tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medication without consulting your doctor.
6. Some notes when using Mekinist
If overdose and severe symptoms such as fainting, difficulty breathing, take the patient to the nearest medical facility. If you forget to take a dose within 12 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose. In order for the drug not to be degraded leading to quality deterioration as well as the loss of the required therapeutic and safety effects, you need to store the medicine in the conditions as directed. In summary, to ensure safety and avoid side effects of Mekinist, patients should carefully read the instructions before using or as directed by the consulting doctor. In case the use of the drug is not effective, the patient goes to the medical facility for examination and treatment.
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Reference source: Webmd.com
