Tafinlar (Dabrafenib) for Melanoma

Overview
Tafinlar is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat melanoma that has specific genetic mutations (changes). Tafinlar can be taken alone to treat melanoma that can’t be removed with surgery or has spread to other parts of the body and has a BRAF V600E genetic mutation.

When combined with another medication called trametinib, Tafinlar is also used to treat melanoma with BRAF V600E or V600K mutations. Additionally, Tafinlar is used after surgery to treat melanoma that has spread to nearby lymph nodes in people with these mutations, helping to lower the chance of the cancer coming back. Tafinlar is also known by its drug name, dabrafenib​​.

Tafinlar belongs to a class of medications known as BRAF inhibitors. It works by targeting and slowing down the activity of the BRAF protein, which can be overactive in some types of cancer caused by genetic mutations.

How do I take it?
Tafinlar is taken by mouth and comes in a capsule. The recommended dosage is to take Tafinlar twice a day, about 12 hours apart. Always follow the specific instructions provided by your health care provider regarding the dosage and administration of Tafinlar​​.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Tafinlar lists common side effects including thickening of the outer layers of the skin, headache, joint aches, warts, hair loss, redness, swelling, peeling, or tenderness of hands or feet. 

Rare but serious side effects may include severe bleeding (especially when taken with trametinib), blood clots, heart problems, severe eye problems leading to blindness, fever, serious skin reactions, increased blood sugar levels, and hemolytic anemia in people with G6PD deficiency — a genetic condition when the body lacks enough of an enzyme needed to protect red blood cells.

For more information about this treatment, visit:

Tafinlar — DailyMed​​

Prescribing Information: Tafinlar (Dabrafenib) — GlaxoSmithKline