What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking MEKINIST?

Before you take MEKINIST, tell your healthcare provider if you:

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have heart problems
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have lung or breathing problems
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have eye problems
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have high blood pressure (hypertension)
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have liver or kidney problems
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have any other medical conditions
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are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. MEKINIST can harm your unborn baby.
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Women who may become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with MEKINIST and for 4 months after stopping treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that may be right for you. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with MEKINIST.
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are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if MEKINIST passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take MEKINIST or breastfeed. You should not do both.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I take MEKINIST?

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Take MEKINIST exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Do not change your dose or stop MEKINIST unless your healthcare provider tells you.
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Take MEKINIST one time a day.
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Take MEKINIST 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
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If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is within 12 hours of your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Just take the next dose at your regular time.
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If you take too much MEKINIST, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
What are the possible side effects of MEKINIST?

MEKINIST may cause serious side effects, including:

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heart problems, including heart failure. Your healthcare provider should check your heart function before you start taking MEKINIST and during treatment. Signs and symptoms of heart problems may include:
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feeling like your heart is pounding or racing
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shortness of breath
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swelling of your ankles and feet
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feeling lightheaded
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eye problems. MEKINIST can cause eye problems including blindness. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms of eye problems:
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blurred vision, loss of vision, or other vision changes
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see color dots
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halo (seeing blurred outline around objects)
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lung or breathing problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening symptoms of lung or breathing problems, including:
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shortness of breath
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cough
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skin rash. Rash is the most common side effect of MEKINIST and in some cases can be severe and can result in admission to the hospital if severe. Tell your healthcare provider if you get any of the following symptoms:
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skin rash
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acne
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redness, swelling, peeling, or tenderness of hands or feet
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skin redness
The most common side effects of MEKINIST include:

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diarrhea
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