Trametinib Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 30, 2024.

Applies to trametinib: oral powder for solution, 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 with this medicine and for at least 4 months after the last dose. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Some women who use this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children). Talk to your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

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, every 2 months during treatment, and for up to 6 months after the last dose.

This medicine may cause bleeding problems. Tell your doctor if you have bleeding gums, coughing up blood, difficulty with 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 diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

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, trouble breathing, or rapid weight gain while using this medicine.

Check with your doctor right away if eye pain or a change in vision occurs during treatment. These could be a sign 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.

This medicine may cause fever, including severe fever reactions that can sometimes happen with low blood pressure, chills, dehydration, or kidney problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have a fever while using this medicine.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, fever or chills, cough, sore throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of your hands, face, mouth, or throat, swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin, or yellow skin or eyes while using this medicine.

This medicine may affect your blood sugar levels. Check with your doctor right away if you have increased thirst or increased urination. If you notice a change in the results of your urine or blood sugar tests, or if you have any questions, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause a severe inflammatory condition that could be life-threatening, including hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which is caused by an overactive immune system. Check with your doctor right away if you have a bruising, fever, skin rash, or swollen glands.

You will also need to have your blood pressure measured before starting this medicine and while you are using it. If you notice any change to your recommended blood pressure, call your doctor right away. Symptoms of high blood pressure are blurred vision, severe headache, a slow or fast heartbeat, lightheadedness, or dizziness.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of trametinib

Along with its needed effects, trametinib 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 trametinib:

Other side effects of trametinib

Some side effects of trametinib 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 trametinib: oral powder for reconstitution, oral tablet.

Cardiovascular adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Lymphedema/edema/peripheral edema (32%), hypertension (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Left ventricular dysfunction, ejection fraction decreased, bradycardia, hypotension
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiac failure, bradycardia
• Frequency not reported: Myocarditis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Rash (57%), acneiform dermatitis (19%), dry skin (11%), pruritus (10%), paronychia (10%), alopecia, erythema
• Common (1% to 10%): Cellulitis, pustular rash, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, skin fissures, chapped skin, folliculitis, actinic keratosis, night sweats, hyperkeratosis, skin lesion, hyperhidrosis, panniculitis, photosensitivity reaction
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acrochordon (skin tags)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (43%), stomatitis (15%), abdominal pain (13%), nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation
• Common (1% to 10%): Mucosal inflammation, stomatitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): GI perforation, colitis, pancreatitis
• Frequency not reported: Hematochezia, rectal hemorrhage, melena, gingival bleeding, hemorrhoidal hemorrhage^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Hemorrhage (13%), neutropenia
• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very common (10% or more): Aspartate aminotransferase increased
• Common (1% to 10%): Alanine aminotransferase increased^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Decreased appetite
• Common (1% to 10%): Dehydration, blood alkaline phosphatase increased, blood creatine phosphokinase increased, hyperglycemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia, myalgia, pain in extremity, muscle spasms
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rhabdomyolysis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache, dizziness^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision, periorbital edema, visual impairment
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chorioretinopathy, papilledema, retinal detachment, retinal vein occlusion
• Frequency not reported: Conjunctival hemorrhage^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

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

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Influenza-like illness^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection
• Frequency not reported: Vaginal hemorrhage, hematuria^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Nasopharyngitis, cough
• Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonitis, dyspnea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Interstitial lung disease
• Frequency not reported: Epistaxis^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue, peripheral edema, chills, asthenia, pyrexia
• Common (1% to 10%): Face edema, asthenia^[Ref]

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Renal failure
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nephritis^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Trametinib 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.

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