trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide at a glance
Medicine class
MEK1 and MEK2 inhibitor
Tumour testing
A validated test must confirm the relevant BRAF mutation before treatment.
Available forms
Film-coated tablets and a pharmacist-prepared oral solution are licensed for different patient groups and indications.
Food
Take the prescribed formulation without food, following the timing instructions supplied by the treatment team.
What is trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide used for?
Licensed uses represented by the selected products are:
Unresectable or metastatic BRAF V600-mutated melanoma in adults, alone or with dabrafenib.
After complete removal of Stage III BRAF V600-mutated melanoma in adults, with dabrafenib.
Advanced BRAF V600-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer in adults, with dabrafenib.
BRAF V600E-mutated low-grade glioma requiring systemic treatment in children aged 1 year and older, with dabrafenib.
BRAF V600E-mutated high-grade glioma in children aged 1 year and older who have previously received radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, with dabrafenib.
How does trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide work?
Trametinib selectively and reversibly inhibits MEK1 and MEK2. These proteins transmit growth signals through the BRAF–MEK–ERK pathway, which is overactive in cancers carrying relevant BRAF mutations. Dabrafenib blocks RAF earlier in the same pathway, so the combination acts at two points.
trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide preparations and strengths
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 0.05 mg/mL
How to take trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide
Follow the oncology team's instructions for the prescribed formulation.
Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water; do not chew or crush them.
Take tablets without food, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
The oral solution must be prepared by a pharmacist. Gently swirl it before measuring the prescribed amount with the supplied reusable oral syringe.
The oral solution may be given through a nasogastric tube when clinically appropriate.
Do not take another amount after vomiting; wait until the next scheduled administration.
Keep the oral solution below 25°C, do not freeze it and discard it 35 days after preparation.
trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Rash, dry or itchy skin and acne-like skin changes
- Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, constipation or abdominal pain
- Fatigue, fever or chills
- Headache or dizziness
- Cough
- Joint, muscle or limb pain
- Swelling of the hands, ankles or feet
- Changes in blood pressure, blood counts or liver-test results
- Bleeding, which is usually minor but can be serious
Get urgent medical advice
- New visual disturbance, eye pain or redness
- New or worsening breathlessness or cough
- Chest pain, faintness, palpitations or marked swelling
- Severe abdominal pain or persistent diarrhoea
- Heavy, persistent or internal bleeding
- Severe blistering, peeling or widespread rash
- Fever with dehydration, dizziness or reduced urine output
- Muscle pain or weakness with dark urine
- Symptoms suggesting a blood clot, tumour lysis syndrome or severe immune activation
trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide in pregnancy
Trametinib can harm a developing baby based on animal evidence and is generally not used during pregnancy. Effective contraception is required during treatment and for 16 weeks after stopping; dabrafenib can reduce the reliability of hormonal contraception. Anyone who is pregnant, planning pregnancy or becomes pregnant during treatment should contact the specialist team promptly without stopping treatment independently.
trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether trametinib enters human milk, and harm to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment; the oncology and maternity teams should discuss feeding and treatment options together.
trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide interactions
Give the cancer team a complete list of prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary products. Relevant interactions include:
Strong P-glycoprotein inhibitors, including verapamil, ciclosporin, ritonavir, quinidine and itraconazole
They may increase trametinib exposure, so additional caution and toxicity monitoring may be required.
Anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines
They may add to the risk of bleeding.
Common questions about trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide chemotherapy?
It is a targeted anticancer treatment rather than conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. It specifically inhibits MEK1 and MEK2 signalling.
Why is BRAF testing needed before trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide?
Its licensed uses depend on a tumour carrying a relevant BRAF mutation, so a validated test is needed to identify patients for whom treatment is appropriate.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.