vemurafenib Oral

Hair loss, dry skin, tiredness, headache, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, diarrhea, swelling of ankles/feet/hands, or joint/muscle pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Vemurafenib may cause another type of skin cancer (cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma) that usually does not spread to other parts of the body. Tell your doctor right away if you have any skin changes including: new wart, skin sore, change in size/color of a mole, skin bump that bleeds or does not heal.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: eye pain/swelling/redness, vision changes (such as blurred vision, blind spot/shadows in the center of your vision, sensitivity to light), fast/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting, dark urine, severe abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Vemurafenib can commonly cause a rash that is usually not serious. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a rash that could be a sign of a severe reaction. Therefore, tell your doctor immediately if you develop any rash.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking vemurafenib, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history.
Vemurafenib may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away. The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may affect the heart rhythm. Before using vemurafenib, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following conditions: certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in the EKG), family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in the EKG, sudden cardiac death).
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you use certain drugs (such as diuretics/\"water pills\") or if you have conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your doctor about using vemurafenib safely.
This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially skin changes, nausea, decreased appetite, swelling of ankles/feet/hands, and heart rhythm problems.
This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is important that men and women taking this medication use 2 reliable forms of birth control (including condoms and/or diaphragms with spermicide) while taking this medication and for 2 months after treatment stops. If you become pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or cause a pregnancy, contact your doctor immediately.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Because of possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor\'s approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: caffeine, warfarin.
Many drugs besides vemurafenib may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including amiodarone, dofetilide, quinidine, procainamide, sotalol, and certain antipsychotic medications (such as pimozide, thioridazine, ziprasidone), among others.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

NOTES:
Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as BRAF testing, liver function tests, EKG) will be performed before starting and while you are taking this medication to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
Keep all appointments as it is important to have regular skin exams while taking and for up to 6 months after stopping treatment with vemurafenib.

MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is within 4 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:
Store at room temperature. Keep this medication in the original container away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medication away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Information last revised November 2011. Copyright(c) 2011 First Databank, Inc.