ills, dehydration, or renal failure, and eva luate for signs and symptoms of infection. Monitor serum creatinine and other evidence of renal function during and following severe pyrexia. Refer to the Prescribing Information for either agent for recommended dose modifications. Administer antipyretics as secondary prophylaxis when resuming TAFINLAR and/or MEKINIST if the patient had a prior episode of severe febrile reaction or fever associated with complications. Administer corticosteroids (eg, prednisone 10 mg daily) for at least 5 days for second or subsequent pyrexia if temperature does not return to baseline within 3 days of onset of pyrexia, or for pyrexia associated with complications such as dehydration, hypotension, renal failure, or severe chills/rigors, and there is no evidence of active infection.
Serious Skin Toxicity. Across clinical trials of the combination in unresectable metastatic melanoma, serious skin toxicity occurred in 0.7% of patients.
In the COMBI-d study, the overall incidence of any skin toxicity was 55% for patients receiving the combination. No serious or severe cases of skin toxicity occurred in patients treated with the combination. Reductions in the dose of MEKINIST were required in 5% of patients receiving the combination, and no patient required permanent discontinuation of TAFINLAR or MEKINIST for skin toxicity.
Withhold TAFINLAR and MEKINIST for intolerable or severe skin toxicity. TAFINLAR and MEKINIST may be resumed at lower doses in patients with improvement or recovery from skin toxicity within 3 weeks.
Hyperglycemia. In the COMBI-d study, 27% of patients with a history of diabetes receiving the combination and 13% of patients receiving single-agent TAFINLAR required more intensive hypoglycemic therapy. The incidence of grade 3 and grade 4 hyperglycemia based on laboratory values was 5% and 0.5% of patients treated with the combination, respectively. For patients receiving single-agent TAFINLAR, 4.3% of patients had grade 3 hyperglycemia based on laboratory values and no patients had grade 4 hyperglycemia.
Monitor serum glucose levels upon initiation, and as clinically appropriate in patients with preexisting diabetes or hyperglycemia.
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency. TAFINLAR, which contains a sulfonamide moiety, confers a potential risk of hemolytic anemia in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Closely observe patients with G6PD deficiency for signs of hemolytic anemia.
Embryo-fetal Toxicity. TAFINLAR and MEKINIST both can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use highly effective nonhormonal contraception during treatment, and for 4 months after treatment, since TAFINLAR can render hormonal contraceptives ineffective. Advise patients to contact their health care provider if they become pregnant, or if pregnancy is suspected, while taking TAFINLAR and MEKINIST.
Most Common Adverse Reactions. In the NSCLC clinical trial, the most commonly occurring adverse reactions (≥20%) in patients receiving the combination were pyrexia (55%), fatigue (51%), nausea (45%), vomiting (33%), diarrhea (32%), dry skin (31%), decreased appetite (29%), edema (28%), rash (28%), chills (23%), hemorrhage (23%), cough (22%), and dyspnea (20%). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions (incidence ≥2%) were pyrexia (5%), fatigue (5%), dyspnea (5%), hemorrhage (3.2%), rash (3.2%), vom |
