Vemurafenib

Pronunciation: VEM-ue-RAF-e-nib
Generic Name: Vemurafenib
Brand Name: Zelboraf

Vemurafenib is used for:

Treating certain types of skin cancer. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Vemurafenib is a kinase inhibitor. It works by preventing the growth of cancer cells.

Do NOT use Vemurafenib if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Vemurafenib


• you have a history of certain types of irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation, long QT syndrome)


• you have uncorrected low blood electrolyte levels (eg, potassium, calcium, magnesium)


• you take arsenic, halofantrine, nilotinib, toremifene, or vandetanib, or any other medicine that may increase the risk of a certain type of irregular heartbeat (prolonged QT interval). Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines may increase the risk of this type of irregular heartbeat

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Vemurafenib:

Some medical conditions may interact with Vemurafenib. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are able to become pregnant


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure, slow or irregular heartbeat), liver or kidney problems, skin cancer, or low blood electrolyte levels (eg, calcium, potassium, magnesium)


• if you have skin problems or you have chronic sun exposure


• if you take any medicines to treat irregular heartbeat

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Vemurafenib. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Arsenic, halofantrine, nilotinib, toremifene, or vandetanib because the risk of severe and possibly fatal irregular heartbeat may be increased


• Certain azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole), clarithromycin, nefazodone, protease inhibitors (eg, boceprevir, ritonavir), or telithromycin because they may increase the risk of Vemurafenib's side effects


• Carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), phenobarbital, primidone, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine, or St. John's wort because they may decrease Vemurafenib's effectiveness


• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or theophyllines (eg, aminophylline) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Vemurafenib

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Vemurafenib may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Vemurafenib:

Use Vemurafenib as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Vemurafenib comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Vemurafenib refilled.


• Take Vemurafenib by mouth with or without food.


• Swallow Vemurafenib whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.


• Take Vemurafenib in the morning and in the evening, about 12 hours apart unless your doctor directs you otherwise.


• Continue to take Vemurafenib even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Vemurafenib, take it as soon as possible. If it is within 4 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Vemurafenib.

Important safety information:

• Vemurafenib may cause dizziness, tiredness, weakness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Vemurafenib with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose, change your dose, or stop taking Vemurafenib without checking with your doctor.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Vemurafenib before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Cases of a certain other type of skin cancer have been reported with the use of Vemurafenib. The risk may be greater in elderly patients and in patients with chronic sun exposure or with a history of skin cancer. Contact your doctor right away if you experience a new wart, a change in size or color of a mole, or any other skin changes (eg, skin sore or reddish bump that bleeds or does not heal).


• Vemurafenib may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Vemurafenib. Use a sunscreen and lip balm, and wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.


• Women who may become pregnant and men must use an effective form of birth control while taking Vemurafenib and for at least 2 months after stopping it. If you have questions about effective birth control, talk with your doctor.


• Lab tests, including electrocardiograms (ECGs), liver function, eye exams, blood electrolyte levels, and skin evaluations, may be performed while you use Vemurafenib. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Vemurafenib with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially a certain other type of skin cancer; nausea; loss of appetite; swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles; and irregular heartbeat.


• Vemurafenib should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Vemurafenib may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant or father a child while you are taking it or for at least 2 months after you stop taking it. If you think you may be pregnant or if your sexual partner becomes pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Vemurafenib while you are pregnant. It is not known if Vemurafenib is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Vemurafenib.

Possible side effects of Vemurafenib:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back pain; constipation; cough; diarrhea; dizziness; dry skin; hair loss; headache; joint or muscle pain; loss of appetite; nausea; taste changes; thickening of the skin; tiredness; vomiting; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest or throat; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); burning, numbness, or tingling; eye pain, swelling, or redness; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; light-headedness; mouth sores or blisters; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent dizziness; swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles; symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine; pale stools; yellowing of the eyes or skin; unusual tiredness, nausea, or vomiting; persistent loss of appetite; severe stomach pain); tingling, pain, redness, or swelling of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; vision changes (eg, blurred vision, sensitivity to light).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Vemurafenib side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Vemurafenib:

Store Vemurafenib at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Vemurafenib in the original container with the lid tightly closed. Keep Vemurafenib out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Vemurafenib, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Vemurafenib is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Vemurafenib. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Vemurafenib resources

• Vemurafenib Side Effects (in more detail)
• Vemurafenib Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Vemurafenib Drug Interactions
• Vemurafenib Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Vemurafenib - Add your own review/rating

• Vemurafenib Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• vemurafenib Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Zelboraf Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Zelboraf Consumer Overview

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