What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dabrafenib?
You should not use dabrafenib if you are allergic to it.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- heart disease;
- bleeding problems;
- liver or kidney disease;
- diabetes (dabrafenib may raise your blood sugar);
- eye problems (especially a problem with your retina); or
- a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
Using dabrafenib with trametinib may increase your risk of developing a certain type of skin cancer. Ask your doctor about your specific risk. Tell your doctor if you notice any new skin symptoms such as redness, warts, sores that will not heal, or a mole that has changed in size or color.
You may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.
Both men and women using this medicine should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Dabrafenib can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or father is using this medicine.
Keep using birth control for at least 2 weeks after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using dabrafenib.
If you use dabrafenib and trametinib together: Keep using birth control for at least 4 months after your last dose of these two medicines.
Dabrafenib can make hormonal birth control less effective, including birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings. To prevent pregnancy while using dabrafenib, use a barrier form of birth control: condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge.
This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because dabrafenib can harm an unborn baby.
You should not breastfeed while using this medicine and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose (or 4 months after your last dose of dabrafenib with trametinib).