Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of vemurafenib has not been yet established in children and adolescents (<18 years). No data are available.

Non-Caucasian patients

The safety and efficacy of vemurafenib has not been established in non-Caucasian patients. No data are available.

Method of administration

Vemurafenib tablets are to be swallowed whole with water. Vemurafenib tablets should not be chewed or crushed.
4.3 Contraindications
 Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
 Before taking vemurafenib, patients must have BRAF V600 mutation-positive tumour status confirmed by a validated test. The efficacy and safety of vemurafenib in patients with tumours expressing rare BRAF V600 mutations other than V600E and V600K have not been convincingly established (see section 5.1). Vemurafenib should not be used in patients with wild type BRAF malignant melanoma.

Hypersensitivity reaction

Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis have been reported in association with vemurafenib (see sections 4.3 and 4.8). Severe hypersensitivity reactions may include Stevens-Johnson syndrome, generalised rash, erythema or hypotension. In patients who experience severe hypersensitivity reactions, vemurafenib treatment should be permanently discontinued.

Dermatologic reactions

Severe dermatologic reactions have been reported in patients receiving vemurafenib, including rare cases of Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis in the pivotal clinical trial. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) has been reported in association with vemurafenib in the post marketing setting (see section 4.8). In patients who experience a severe dermatologic reaction, vemurafenib treatment should be permanently discontinued.

QT prolongation

Exposure-dependent QT prolongation was observed in an uncontrolled, open-label phase II study in previously treated patients with metastatic melanoma (see section 4.8). QT prolongation may lead to an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including Torsade de Pointes. Treatment with vemurafenib is not recommended in patients with uncorrectable electrolyte abnormalities (including magnesium), long QT syndrome or who are taking medicinal products known to prolong the QT interval.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) and electrolytes (including magnesium) must be monitored in all patients before treatment with vemurafenib, after one month of treatment and after dose modification.

Further monitoring is recommended in particular in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment monthly during the first 3 months of treatment followed by every 3 months thereafter or more often as clinically indicated. Initiation of treatment with vemurafenib is not recommended in patients with QTc>500 milliseconds (ms). If during treatment the QTc exceeds 500 ms, vemurafenib treatment should be temporarily interrupted, electrolyte abnormalities (including magnesium) should be corrected, and cardiac risk factors for QT prolongation (e.g. congestive heart failure, bradyarrhythmias) should be controlled. Re-initiation of treatment should occur once the QTc decreases below 500 ms and at a low