vemurafenib at a glance
Medicine class
BRAF serine-threonine kinase inhibitor
Tumour testing
A validated test must confirm a BRAF V600 mutation before treatment.
Administration
Swallow tablets whole with water; do not chew or crush them.
Food
May be taken with or without food, but regular administration on an empty stomach should be avoided.
Sun protection
Photosensitivity is common; minimise direct sun exposure and use protective clothing, broad-spectrum sunscreen and lip protection.
What is vemurafenib used for?
Licensed use:
Monotherapy for adults with BRAF V600 mutation-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
How does vemurafenib work?
Some melanomas contain a BRAF V600 mutation that keeps growth signalling switched on. Vemurafenib inhibits the altered BRAF kinase, reducing downstream signalling and slowing the growth of susceptible cancer cells. It should not be used for BRAF wild-type melanoma.
vemurafenib preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 240 mg
How to take vemurafenib
Take vemurafenib exactly as directed by the specialist oncology team.
Swallow tablets whole with water; do not chew or crush them.
They may be taken with or without food, but avoid taking them regularly on an empty stomach.
If vomiting occurs after administration, do not take a replacement; continue with the next scheduled administration.
Keep tablets in their original packaging to protect them from moisture.
vemurafenib side effects
Common or expected effects
- Joint, muscle, limb or back pain
- Fatigue, headache or dizziness
- Rash, itching, dry skin or thickened skin
- Sun sensitivity and sunburn
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation
- Hair loss or altered taste
- Reduced appetite
- New skin growths, including keratoacanthoma or cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial swelling, breathing difficulty or faintness
- Blistering, peeling or widespread painful rash, particularly with fever or mouth or eye involvement
- Sudden visual changes, visual loss or severe eye inflammation
- Fainting or palpitations that could indicate an abnormal heart rhythm
- Severe unexplained abdominal pain, which may indicate pancreatitis
- Severe liver or kidney injury
- New or changing skin lesions or lumps
- Worsening symptoms associated with previous or current radiotherapy
vemurafenib in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are unavailable, and fetal harm is possible from the mechanism of action. Vemurafenib should generally be avoided during pregnancy unless the specialist team judges that maternal benefit outweighs fetal risk. Effective contraception is required during treatment and for at least six months afterwards; hormonal contraception may be less effective.
vemurafenib while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether vemurafenib enters human milk, and risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. The specialist team should decide whether breastfeeding or vemurafenib must be stopped after considering the benefits of each.
vemurafenib interactions
The oncology and pharmacy teams should review prescription, non-prescription and herbal products before and during treatment.
QT-prolonging medicines
May add to the risk of a serious abnormal heart rhythm.
Tizanidine, theophylline and other sensitive CYP1A2 substrates
Vemurafenib can increase exposure and toxicity.
Hormonal contraceptives and other CYP3A4 substrates
Vemurafenib may reduce concentrations and effectiveness.
Common questions about vemurafenib
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is BRAF testing needed before vemurafenib?
Vemurafenib targets abnormal BRAF V600 signalling. It is licensed only when a validated test confirms this mutation and should not be used for BRAF wild-type melanoma.
Is vemurafenib chemotherapy or targeted therapy?
It is targeted therapy: a protein kinase inhibitor that blocks activated BRAF rather than conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Can vemurafenib be taken with food?
Yes. It may be taken with or without food, but regular administration on an empty stomach should be avoided.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.