Experiencing side effects with Tabrecta? Learn strategies to manage them effectively
Tabrecta, a brand-name prescription medication, was approved by the FDA in 2020 to treat a certain type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in adults. This MET inhibitor is specifically intended for metastatic NSCLC patients with a missing part of the MET gene.
Long-term use of Tabrecta may lead to certain side effects, primarily related to class-related toxicities. These include:
- Peripheral edema (swelling in the limbs): This side effect may persist with ongoing treatment.
- Fatigue or tiredness: This is a common side effect that patients may experience.
- Nausea and vomiting: These symptoms can be managed by taking the medication with food and staying hydrated.
- Elevated liver enzymes: Patients often require periodic liver function monitoring due to the potential for liver toxicity.
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis: These are rare but potentially serious side effects that may require close monitoring during treatment.
- Potential kidney function effects: While rare, this is a serious possible side effect from targeted therapies in NSCLC.
- Changes in blood counts or other laboratory abnormalities: Regular monitoring is essential to detect and manage these issues early.
Because Tabrecta targets a specific pathway altered by the MET gene mutation, its safety profile is more favorable compared with traditional chemotherapy. However, long-term use may still lead to cumulative toxicities such as liver damage or lung inflammation.
It's important to note that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and other regulatory resources emphasize monitoring for these side effects during treatment. No extensive data exist specifying unique long-term side effects after multiple years, as such targeted therapies are relatively new.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tabrecta is not safe to take during pregnancy. Women of childbearing age should use effective contraception and undergo a pregnancy test before starting treatment. Breastfeeding should be avoided during treatment and for one week after the last dose.
Other considerations: Certain medical conditions or factors that affect your health may make Tabrecta not the right treatment for you. Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before taking Tabrecta.
In case of serious symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away.
Tabrecta is available as an oral tablet, and the active ingredient is capmatinib. This drug belongs to the class of kinase inhibitors.
In summary, adults on Tabrecta for metastatic NSCLC with MET exon 14 skipping mutations may experience long-term side effects including peripheral edema, fatigue, liver enzyme elevation (liver toxicity), and rarely lung inflammation (ILD/pneumonitis). Regular clinical and laboratory monitoring during treatment is essential to detect and manage these issues early.
- The long-term use of Tabrecta, a drug used for treating a specific type of non-small cell lung cancer, may result in permanent swelling in the limbs (peripheral edema), a side effect that patients must monitor during treatment.
- When considering the health-and-wellness implications of Tabrecta, it is important to note that its use may cause liver enzyme elevations, potentially leading to liver toxicity, and requires periodic liver function monitoring.
- In the context of science and medical-conditions, it should be highlighted that while Tabrecta targets a specific pathway altered by the MET gene mutation, its long-term use may still lead to cumulative toxicities, such as the potential for lung inflammation (ILD/pneumonitis), making regular monitoring crucial for early detection and management.
