Binimetinib Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 4, 2025.

Applies to binimetinib: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, your doctor may do tests to make sure you are not pregnant before starting treatment. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant during treatment and for 30 days after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

This medicine may increase your risk of having cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC) or other skin cancers. Check with your doctor right away if you develop any skin changes, including a new wart, change in size or color of a mole, or a skin sore or reddish bump that does not heal. Your doctor may want your skin be checked for new skin lesions before treatment, during treatment, and for up to 6 months after the last dose.

This medicine may cause heart problems, including heart failure. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain, decreased urine output, an uneven heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, troubled breathing, or rapid weight gain while using this medicine.

This medicine may increase your risk of developing blood clots. Check with your doctor right away if you have swelling and pain in your arms, legs, or stomach, chest pain, shortness of breath, loss of sensation, confusion, or problems with muscle control or speech.

Check with your doctor right away if blurred vision, loss of vision, or any change in vision occurs during treatment. These could be symptoms of a serious eye problem. Your doctor may want your eyes be checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Tell your doctor right away if you have a cough, trouble breathing, chest tightness, or any type of breathing problem with this medicine. These could be symptoms of a serious lung problem (eg, interstitial lung disease, pneumonitis).

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

This medicine may cause bleeding problems. Tell your doctor if you have bleeding gums, coughing up blood, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, dizziness, headache, increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding, nosebleeds, prolonged bleeding from cuts, red or dark brown urine, or red or black, tarry stools.

This medicine may cause muscle problems (eg, rhabdomyolysis). Check with your doctor right away if you have dark urine, fever, muscle cramps, spasms, pain, or stiffness, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Serious side effects of binimetinib

Along with its needed effects, binimetinib may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking binimetinib:

Other side effects of binimetinib

Some side effects of binimetinib may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to binimetinib: oral tablet.

Hematologic adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Anemia (36%), hemorrhage (19%), leukopenia (13%), lymphoma (13%), neutropenia (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Venous thromboembolism (VTE)^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rhabdomyolysis^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very common (10% or more): Retinopathy (20%), visual impairment (20%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Retinal detachment, macular edema, uveitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Retinal vein occlusion^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hyponatremia (18%), peripheral edema (13%)^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Increased gamma glutamyl transferase (45%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Alkaline phosphatase increased^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Interstitial lung disease^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (43%), pyrexia (18%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (15%)^[Ref]

Renal

• Very common (10% or more): Increased creatinine (93%), increased creatine phosphokinase (58%)^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hypertension (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Cardiomyopathy, fatal intracranial hemorrhage (in the setting of new or progressive brain metastases)^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (22%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Panniculitis^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (41%), diarrhea (36%), vomiting (30%), abdominal pain (28%), constipation (22%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Rectal hemorrhage, hematochezia, hemorrhoidal hemorrhage, colitis^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What is Mektovi used to treat?

Further information

Binimetinib side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer