Mekinist is a brand-name drug prescribed for certain cancers, including melanoma. It contains the active drug trametinib. The medication is available as an oral tablet and oral solution.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Mekinist to treat:

Mekinist is approved to treat these types of cancer in certain situations. Mekinist has limitations in its use. For more details, see the “Mekinist uses” section below.

Drug details

You’ll find key information about Mekinist below.

  • Drug class: kinase inhibitor, which is a type of targeted cancer therapy
  • Drug forms: oral tablet and oral powder that your pharmacist will mix with water to make a solution
  • Generic available? no
  • Prescription required? yes
  • Controlled substance? no
  • Year of FDA approval: 2013
  • Accelerated approval? yes, for solid tumors

Mekinist is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

The Mekinist dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • your body weight
  • the form of Mekinist you take
  • side effects you may have with Mekinist

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Mekinist comes as an oral tablet that’s available in two strengths: 0.5 milligrams (mg) and 2 mg.

Mekinist also comes as an oral powder. Your pharmacist will mix the powder with water to make a solution that you swallow. Each bottle of solution contains Mekinist in a strength of 0.05 mg per milliliter (mL) of solution (0.05 mg/mL).

Dosage for melanoma

The recommended dosage of Mekinist tablets for melanoma in adults is 2 mg, taken once per day.

Doctors may prescribe Mekinist solution for adults who have difficulty swallowing Mekinist tablets or have a low body weight. The recommended dosage of Mekinist solution for melanoma in adults is based on body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg is equal to 2.2. pounds (lb). Dosages are recommended as follows:

Body weightMekinist solution dose, taken once per day
30–33 kg (about 66–73 lb)1 mg (20 mL solution)
34–37 kg (about 75–82 lb)1.15 mg (23 mL solution)
38–41 kg (about 84–90 lb)1.25 mg (25 mL solution)
42–45 kg (about 93–99 lb)1.4 mg (28 mL solution)
46–50 kg (about 101–110 lb)1.6 mg (32 mL solution)
51 kg (about 112 lb) or more 2 mg (40 mL solution)

Dosage for non-small cell lung cancer

The recommended dosage of Mekinist for non-small cell lung cancer in adults is the same as the dosage for melanoma. This is described in the table above.

Dosage for anaplastic thyroid cancer

The recommended dosage of Mekinist for anaplastic thyroid cancer in adults is the same as the dosage for melanoma. This is described in the table above.

Dosage for solid tumors

The recommended dosage of Mekinist for solid tumors in adults is the same as the dosage for melanoma. This is described in the table above.

Dosage for low grade glioma

The recommended dosage of Mekinist for low grade glioma in adults is the same as the dosage for melanoma. This is described in the table above.

Children’s dosage

Mekinist is prescribed to treat solid tumors and low grade glioma in children ages 1 year and older.

The recommended dosage for both conditions is the same. The dosage is based on the child’s body weight.

Mekinist tablets are suitable for children weighing at least 26 kg, which is about 57 lb. The recommended dosages are as follows:

Child’s body weightMekinist tablet dose, taken once per day
26–37 kg (about 57–82 lb)1 mg (two 0.5-mg tablets)
38–50 kg (about 84–110 lb)1.5 mg (three 0.5-mg tablets)
51 kg (about 112 lb) or more2 mg (one 2-mg tablet)

Mekinist solution is suitable for children weighing at least 8 kg (about 18 lb). The recommended dosages for the solution are as follows:

Child’s body weightMekinist solution dose, taken once per day
8 kg (about 18 lb)0.3 mg (6 mL solution)
9 kg (about 20 lb)0.35 mg (7 mL solution)
10 kg (about 22 lb)0.35 mg (7 mL solution)
11 kg (about 24 lb)0.4 mg (8 mL solution)
12–13 kg (about 27–29 lb)0.45 mg (9 mL solution)
14–17 kg (about 31–38 lb)0.55 mg (11 mL solution)
18–21 kg (about 40–46 lb)0.7 mg (14 mL solution)
22–25 kg (about 49–55 lb)0.85 mg (17 mL solution)
26–29 kg (about 57–64 lb)0.9 mg (18 mL solution)
30–33 kg (about 66–73 lb)1 mg (20 mL solution)
34–37 kg (about 75–82 lb)1.15 mg (23 mL solution)
38–41 kg (about 84–90 lb)1.25 mg (25 mL solution)
42–45 kg (about 93–99 lb)1.4 mg (28 mL solution)
46–50 kg (about 101–110 lb)1.6 mg (32 mL solution)
51 kg (about 112 lb) or more 2 mg (40 mL solution)

About taking Mekinist

Below, you’ll find information about key dosage issues.

  • When to take: You should take Mekinist once per day, at the same time each day. Taking the medication around the same time of day helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body. This helps Mekinist work effectively.
  • If you miss a dose and:
    • it’s more than 12 hours until your next dose is due, take the missed dose and your next dose as scheduled.
    • it’s less than 12 hours until your next dose is due, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled.
  • If you vomit after taking a dose: Do not take an extra dose if you vomit after taking a dose. Just take your next dose as scheduled. Be sure to tell your doctor if you vomit after a dose.
  • Taking Mekinist with food: You should take Mekinist at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. This is because taking Mekinist with food lowers the level of the drug in your body, which may make it less effective.
  • Crushing, splitting, or chewing Mekinist: You should not crush, split, or chew Mekinist tablets. You should swallow the tablets whole.
  • Length of treatment: Mekinist is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Mekinist is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Overdose

Do not take more Mekinist than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.

What to do in case you take too much Mekinist

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Mekinist to treat certain conditions. Mekinist may also be used off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Mekinist is FDA-approved to treat certain types of cancer that are BRAF-positive.

BRAF is a protein that’s involved in sending signals that cause cells to grow. It’s made by the BRAF gene. Some cancers are found to have mutations (abnormal changes) in the BRAF gene and protein. These are called “BRAF-positive” cancers. The BRAF mutations increase the growth and spread of the cancer cells. (To learn more, see “How does Mekinist work?” in the “Common questions about Mekinist” section below.)

Mekinist is prescribed to treat cancers that have specific BRAF mutations, called “BRAF V600E” and “BRAF V600K.” Before your doctor prescribes Mekinist, they’ll order tests to determine whether your cancer has one of these mutations.

Note: Doctors may not prescribe Mekinist in certain situations. For example, they likely will not prescribe the drug for colorectal cancer. This is because drugs that target BRAF mutations don’t usually work to treat colorectal cancer.

Mekinist for melanoma

Mekinist is FDA-approved to treat melanoma (a type of skin cancer) in adults. It’s specifically approved for BRAF-positive melanoma that has BRAF V600E or BRAF V600K mutations. Mekinist is prescribed for this type of melanoma in certain situations.

Mekinist is approved for use by itself to treat melanoma that:

  • is unresectable (can’t be removed with surgery) or metastatic (has spread to other parts of the body), and
  • has not already been treated with a type of drug called a BRAF inhibitor, such as vemurafenib (Zelboraf)

Mekinist is approved for use with dabrafenib (Tafinlar) to:

  • treat melanoma that’s unresectable or metastatic
  • help prevent melanoma that has spread to the lymph nodes from coming back after the cancer has been removed with surgery

You can learn more about melanoma at our cancer and dermatology and skin care hubs.

Mekinist for non-small cell lung cancer

Mekinist is also FDA-approved to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults. This is the most common form of lung cancer.

Mekinist is specifically approved to treat NSCLC that:

For this purpose, Mekinist is prescribed with dabrafenib (Tafinlar).

You can learn more about NSCLC at our hubs for cancer and lung cancer.

Mekinist for anaplastic thyroid cancer

Mekinist is FDA-approved to treat anaplastic thyroid cancer in adults. Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare type of thyroid cancer that spreads quickly.

Mekinist is approved to treat anaplastic thyroid cancer that:

  • has a BRAF V600E mutation
  • is locally advanced (has spread into nearby tissues) or metastatic
  • can’t be treated with more localized treatment options, such as radiotherapy

For this purpose, Mekinist is prescribed with dabrafenib (Tafinlar).

You can learn more about thyroid cancer in our cancer hub.

Mekinist for solid tumors

Mekinist is FDA-approved to treat solid tumors in adults and children ages 1 year and older. Solid tumors are cancers that cause a mass or lump of tissue. They can occur almost anywhere in the body. (Most cancers that aren’t blood cancers, such as leukemia, are solid tumors.)

Mekinist is approved to treat solid tumors that:

  • have a BRAF V600E mutation
  • are unresectable or metastatic
  • have no other suitable treatment options

For this purpose, Mekinist is prescribed with dabrafenib (Tafinlar).

Doctors may not prescribe Mekinist for certain types of solid tumors, including colorectal cancer. For details, see the beginning of the “Mekinist uses” section above.

You can learn more about different types of solid tumors in our cancer hub.

Note: The FDA granted Mekinist accelerated approval for treating solid tumors based on results from early clinical trials. When results are available from more extensive studies, the FDA may decide to fully approve the drug or withdraw the approval.

Mekinist for low grade glioma

Mekinist is FDA-approved to treat low grade glioma in adults and children ages 1 year and older. Low grade glioma is a type of slow-growing brain tumor.

Mekinist is FDA-approved to treat low grade glioma that:

  • has a BRAF V600E mutation
  • requires systemic (whole-body) treatment

For this purpose, Mekinist is prescribed with dabrafenib (Tafinlar).

You can learn more about different types of brain tumors in our cancer hub.

Mekinist and children

Mekinist is FDA-approved for use in children ages 1 year and older to treat:

  • solid tumors
  • low grade glioma

Mekinist is prescribed for these uses in certain situations. For more information, see the sections just above, “Mekinist for solid tumors” and “Mekinist for low grade glioma.”

Mekinist can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Mekinist. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Mekinist, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on managing any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Mekinist, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Mekinist. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or view the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Mekinist can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about allergic reaction and Mekinist, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Mekinist aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

  • New skin cancers.* Symptoms can include skin changes, such as:
    • new wart or mole
    • change in the size or color of a mole
    • skin sore that bleeds or crusts and doesn’t heal
    • shiny, smooth, red, or dark bump
    • rough or scaly patch with raised edges
  • Other new cancers.* Symptoms can vary depending on the type of cancer but may include:
    • growth of a new lump
  • Serious bleeding, for example in the brain or digestive system. Symptoms can include:
    • passing stools that are red, black, or tar-like
    • vomiting blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds
    • coughing up blood
    • sudden headache, dizziness, or weakness
  • Colitis or perforation (tear) in the stomach or intestine. Symptoms can include:
    • abdominal pain
    • diarrhea
    • passing stools that are red, black, or tar-like
    • fever
  • Blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Symptoms can include:
    • pain, warmth, or swelling in an arm or leg
    • cool or pale arm or leg
    • cough
    • sudden shortness of breath
    • chest pain
  • Heart problems, such as heart failure. Symptoms can include:
    • swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet
    • shortness of breath
    • heart palpitations
    • feeling lightheaded
  • Eye problems that could lead to blindness. Symptoms can include:
    • changes in vision, such as blurry vision or loss of vision
    • sudden increase in floaters (spots or squiggles that move in your vision)
    • seeing light flashes or halos around lights
    • eye pain, swelling, or redness
  • Lung problems, such as swelling or scarring in the lungs. Symptoms can include:
    • new or worse shortness of breath
    • new or worse cough
  • Fever that may occur with low blood pressure, dehydration, or kidney problems. Symptoms can include:
  • Serious skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Symptoms can include:
    • skin blistering or peeling
    • sores or blisters in or around your mouth
    • fever
    • flu-like symptoms
  • High blood sugar level. Symptoms can include:
  • Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (a life threatening condition caused by overactivity in the immune system). Symptoms can include:
  • Low white blood cell count. Symptoms can include:
    • fever
    • flu-like symptoms
    • other signs of infection
  • High blood pressure, which may cause the following symptoms if it becomes very high:
    • severe headache
    • blurry vision
    • dizziness
  • Increased liver enzymes, which may be a sign of liver problems.
  • Severe allergic reaction.

* Mekinist is approved to treat certain forms of cancer. For details, see the “Mekinist uses” section above.

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Mekinist. This was a rare side effect in clinical trials of this drug.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Mekinist, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Mekinist.

How long can Mekinist be out of the fridge?

The manufacturer doesn’t state how long Mekinist can be out of the fridge. Mekinist oral tablets should be kept in a refrigerator between 36–46°F (2–8°C). You should only take your bottle of Mekinist tablets out of the fridge when you need to take a dose. Put it straight back in after taking your dose.

If you need to keep Mekinist tablets out of the fridge, for example, if you’re traveling, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend keeping your medication in a cool box until you can put it back in a refrigerator.

Your pharmacist will store bottles of Mekinist oral powder in a refrigerator until they prepare them for use. But after you collect a bottle of prepared Mekinist solution from your pharmacist, you should keep it at room temperature.

If you have questions or concerns about storing Mekinist, talk with your pharmacist.

How does Mekinist work?

Mekinist is a targeted cancer therapy. Targeted cancer therapies work by blocking specific proteins made by cancer cells. These proteins usually help the cancer cells grow and spread.

Mekinist is prescribed for cancers that are BRAF-positive. Such cancers, including BRAF-positive melanoma, have certain mutations (abnormal changes) in the BRAF gene. The mutations cause the cancer cells to make abnormal BRAF proteins. (BRAF protein is a type of enzyme called a protein kinase.)

The abnormal BRAF proteins are involved in sending signals that increase cancer cell growth. They increase signals sent by two other protein kinases, MEK1 and MEK2. All these signals increase the growth and spread of the cancer cells.

Mekinist is a type of drug called a kinase inhibitor. It works by blocking the action of MEK1 and MEK2 proteins. This slows the growth and spread of the cancer cells.

For certain BRAF-positive cancers, Mekinist is prescribed with another drug called dabrafenib (Tafinlar). Dabrafenib is a kinase inhibitor that blocks the action of abnormal BRAF proteins. Mekinist and Tafinlar work together to slow the growth and spread of BRAF-positive cancer cells. To learn about situations in which these drugs are prescribed together, see the “Mekinist uses” section above.

If you’d like to know more about how Mekinist works for your cancer, talk with your doctor.

Can Mekinist be used for ovarian cancer?

Yes, Mekinist can be prescribed to treat ovarian cancer in certain situations. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug to treat solid tumors, and ovarian cancer is a type of solid tumor.

Your doctor may prescribe Mekinist if you have ovarian cancer that’s spread to other parts of your body. They may prescribe it if the cancer can’t be removed with surgery and other treatment options aren’t suitable.

However, they’ll only prescribe Mekinist if tests show the cancer is BRAF-positive. Specifically, the cancer must have a BRAF V600E mutation. To learn more about the BRAF-positive cancers Mekinist is prescribed to treat, see the “Mekinist uses” section above.

If you’re interested in taking Mekinist for ovarian cancer, talk with your doctor. They can determine whether this treatment is a good option for you.

As with all medications, the cost of Mekinist can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Mekinist or help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

The Novartis Oncology Universal Co-pay Program is available for Mekinist. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 877-577-7756 or visit the program website.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Generic version: Mekinist is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Mekinist is not known to interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, or foods. The manufacturer did not list any interactions in the drug’s prescribing information.

However, this doesn’t mean that interactions won’t be recognized in the future. For example, new drugs could be approved that interact with Mekinist.

Before starting Mekinist treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Alcohol interaction

Alcohol is not known to interact with Mekinist. But alcohol and Mekinist can cause some similar side effects, such as headache, nausea, and diarrhea. So you may be more likely to have these side effects if you consume alcohol while taking Mekinist.

Mekinist can sometimes cause mouth sores or liver problems and drinking alcohol could worsen these side effects.

If you drink alcohol and have questions about how much is safe to drink while taking Mekinist, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Mekinist, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for your condition.

The following drugs are similar to Mekinist:

  • binimetinib (Mektovi)
  • cobimetinib (Cotellic)
  • dabrafenib (Tafinlar)
  • encorafenib (Braftovi)
  • vemurafenib (Zelboraf)

If you or your partner can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy, fertility, birth control, and breastfeeding.

Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “female” and “male” below refers to the sex assigned at birth.

Mekinist and pregnancy

Mekinist can harm a fetus and should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with Mekinist.

Mekinist can pass into semen. If you’re male and your sexual partner is pregnant, the developing fetus could be exposed to Mekinist through your semen. You should use condoms while taking Mekinist and for 4 months after your last dose.

Mekinist and fertility

Based on results from animal studies, Mekinist may reduce fertility in females. It’s not known whether the medication can reduce fertility in males. Keep in mind that results from animal studies do not always indicate what may happen in humans.

If you’re planning a pregnancy or would like to in the future, talk with your doctor about your options.

Mekinist and birth control

Mekinist is not safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re using Mekinist.

For females taking Mekinist

If you’re able to become pregnant, you should use an effective form of birth control while you’re taking Mekinist and for 4 months after your last dose.

For males taking Mekinist

If you have a sexual partner who is pregnant or can become pregnant, you should use condoms while taking Mekinist and for 4 months after your last dose. You should use condoms even if you’ve had a vasectomy.

Mekinist and breastfeeding

Mekinist should not be taken while breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while taking Mekinist and for 4 months after your last dose.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor will likely recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with Mekinist.

This drug comes with several precautions. Before taking Mekinist, discuss your health history with your doctor. Mekinist may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Note: For more information about the effects of Mekinist, see the “Mekinist side effects” section above.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.