Mektovi (binimetinib) is a brand-name oral tablet. Doctors prescribe prescribe it with Braftovi (encorafenib) for certain skin and lung cancers in adults. As with other drugs, Mektovi can cause side effects, such as eye problems and bleeding problems.

Mektovi can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Mektovi in clinical trials:

  • abdominal pain
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • fatigue
  • nausea and vomiting

Keep in mind that doctors prescribe Mektovi with Braftovi (encorafenib), which may have other common side effects. To learn more, see Braktovi’s prescribing information or talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Mild side effects can occur with Mektovi use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Mektovi’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that people taking Mektovi have reported include:

  • abdominal pain
  • constipation
  • cough
  • diarrhea
  • fatigue
  • musculoskeletal pain
  • nausea and vomiting
  • shortness of breath
  • skin rash
  • mild eye problems (See the “Side effect specifics” section)

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep in mind that Mektovi is prescribed with Braftovi (encorafenib), which may cause other mild effects. To learn more, see Braktovi’s prescribing information or talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Mektovi and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Mektovi may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Mektovi’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Mektovi, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects and their symptoms that people have reported include:

Keep in mind that doctors prescribe Mektovi with Braftovi (encorafenib), which may cause other serious effects. To learn more, see Braktovi’s prescribing information or talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics.”

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Mektovi can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Mektovi, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Learn more about some of Mektovi’s potential side effects. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Mektovi.

Eye problems

Taking Mektovi may lead to eye problems. In clinical trials, certain eye problems were more common than others.

Mild eye problems that people taking Mektovi commonly reported include blurred vision, eye floaters, and sensitivity to light. Retinopathy (damage to the retina) was a common serious side effect when Mektovi was prescribed for melanoma but was less common with non-small cell lung cancer.*

Other rare but serious eye problems include retinal vein occlusion (a type of blood clot in the eye) and uveitis (inflammation in the eye).

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of eye problem but may include:

  • headache
  • vision loss
  • eye pain or redness

* To learn more about Mektovi’s uses, see this article.

What you can do

Contact your doctor right away if you have symptoms of eye problems while taking Mektovi. They’ll determine whether to have you temporarily or permanently stop taking the drug. Your doctor may also recommend restarting Mektovi at a lower dosage to reduce the risk of eye problems.

If you’ve ever had eye problems, your doctor can tell you whether Mektovi is a safe treatment option. They may recommend getting regular eye exams during Mektovi treatment.

Bleeding problems

Taking Mektovi may lead to bleeding problems. Mild bleeding problems were common in people taking the drug in clinical trials. Rarely, bleeding problems may be severe or life threatening.

Examples of bleeding problems that people taking Mektovi have reported include:

What you can do

If you have bleeding problems while taking Mektovi, contact your doctor right away. They’ll tell you whether to temporarily or permanently stop the drug. Your doctor may also restart Mektovi at a lower dosage to reduce the risk of bleeding problems.

If you’ve ever had bleeding problems, your doctor can advise whether Mektovi is a safe treatment option.

Read on for some important information to consider before taking Mektovi.

Before taking Mektovi, discuss your health history with your doctor. Mektovi may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • heart problems
  • liver problems
  • eye problems
  • lung problems
  • muscle problems
  • bleeding problems or blood clots
  • high blood pressure
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.