Vemurafenib for Melanoma, Metastatic User Reviews

• guy...
• April 22, 2012

"Cancer returned (metastasized) in abdomen, Sept 2011. I ended up in the hospital, first, paracentesis withdrew 10 liters of abdominal fluid. Given 5 months maximum to live. It is now April 2012. Zelboraf has extended and saved my life. I've been told by a specialist in Denver (University of Colorado Hospital) that in Europe, a 42-month life extension has been documented at the present time. By dosing with 2 x 240 mg pills twice a day! I'd be dead if not for Zelboraf!"

• frm...
• October 31, 2013

"Had isolated limb perfusion (left leg) at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston in Nov 07. Three cancer tumors returned in the same lower left leg in May 2011. In Aug 2011, started Zelboraf at 4 x 240 mg pills twice a day (1960 mg total a day). Two tumors disappeared within a month of taking Zelboraf. One resisted for six weeks total and was gone. CT and MRIs could find anything after scanning. In July 2013, the one that resisted returned along with a 5 mm nodule. Had some of the complications I was warned about, but nothing serious, just uncomfortable at times. Seems like now the cancer is not responding to the Zelboraf and now looking for alternatives. It gave me more years to live with my daughters. Zelboraf is GREAT."

• lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2017

"I don't have melanoma but was approved for the trial 2B of Zelboraf due to my BRAF mutation (I have pancreatic adenocarcinoma, unresectable, BRAF mutation). Scans showed a depreciation in size, but I couldn't stay on the study or drug due to the effects. I was severely nauseous, had and still do have horrible, ugly, painful, and itchy raised skin lesions that I am still getting after 3 months off of the drug. I was incapacitated and in bed. Titrated down twice didn't change anything. I was immobilized, felt a severe malaise, could barely get out of bed, and months later I am still recovering from the effects of taking the drug. I was pulled from the study by my oncologist due to the toxicity. This was very disappointing as it affected me as badly as Folfironox; it's chemo in a pill. Too bad, really."

• suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2015

"Contracted Stevens-Johnson syndrome, spent 2 months in the hospital, kidneys shut down, 80% of body blistered, still having problems 2 years later."