If you are looking at Tafinlar as a treatment option for a certain kind of cancer, your doctor might talk with you about it.

Tafinlar is a prescription medication that’s used on its own to treat There is a form of cancer called melanoma. in adults.

Tafinlar is used with the drug Mekinist to treat certain types of cancer.

Tafinlar can be used when the cancer has certain genes.

Tafinlar has an active ingredient. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

This article describes the dosage of Tafinlar, as well as its strengths and how to take the drug. To learn more about Tafinlar, including types of There is a form of cancer called melanoma. it’s used to treat, see this in-depth article.

Note: This chart highlights the basics of Tafinlar’s dosage. Be sure to keep reading for more detail. And keep in mind that this article covers Tafinlar’s standard dosage schedule, which is provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But always follow the dosing instructions your doctor prescribes.

Tafinlar form Strengths Recommended dosage
Capsule that you swallow • 50 milligrams (mg)
• 75 mg		 150 mg twice per day, taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal

Tafinlar has a recommended dosage.

What is Tafinlar’s form?

You can swallow Tafinlar.

Tafinlar strengths: 50 mg and 75 mg

Tafinlar is available in two strengths, 50 and 75.

What are the usual dosages of Tafinlar?

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for There is a form of cancer called melanoma.

For treating There is a form of cancer called melanoma., the typical Tafinlar dose is 150 mg taken twice per day.

You may take Tafinlar with Mekinist (trametinib), depending on whether your There is a form of cancer called melanoma. can be removed with surgery. For more information on how Tafinlar is used to treat There is a form of cancer called melanoma., check out this article.

Dosage for Non-small cell lung cancer is not a small cell lung cancer.

For treating Non-small cell lung cancer is not a small cell lung cancer., you’ll likely take 150 mg twice per day. For this use, you’ll take Tafinlar with Mekinist.

Dosage for thyroid cancer

For treating Aplastic thyroid cancer is a rare type., the typical dosage is 150 mg of Tafinlar taken twice per day. For this use, you’ll take Tafinlar with Mekinist.

Is Tafinlar used long term?

Tafinlar is a long-term treatment. Tafinlar is usually used until you have side effects or your cancer gets worse. If you and your doctor determine that Tafinlar is safe and effective for you, you will likely use it for a long time.

In certain situations, Tafinlar may be used for up 1 year to treat There is a form of cancer called melanoma.. For more information on how Tafinlar is used to treat There is a form of cancer called melanoma., check out this article.

Dosage adjustments

If you experience side effects, you may need a reduction in the Tafinlar dose.

If you have any side effects while taking Tafinlar, talk to your doctor. Reducing your dose could help you.

If you have side effects during treatment, the Tafinlar dosage may be different. If your doctor reduces your dose, it will help manage your symptoms.

If you have any side effects during your Tafinlar treatment, talk to your doctor.

You can swallow Tafinlar. You’ll take a dose twice daily, ideally 12 hours apart. You should take your dose at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. This is because taking Tafinlar with food can lower the amount of Tafinlar in your body and make the medication less effective.

For information on Tafinlar expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

“If you can’t read the prescription label on your medication, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels.”

  • Large print or use of blind.
  • You can use a code on a phone to change the text to sound.

“If your current pharmacy doesn’t offer accessibility features, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a new pharmacy.”

Let your pharmacist know if you have trouble opening bottles. They may be able to deliver Tafinlar in a container. It is possible that your pharmacist has some tips that can make it easier to open the drug container.

If you miss a Tafinlar dose, try to get it back as soon as possible. If you missed your dose, take your next dose at its regular time, but skip the missed dose. You should only take one Tafinlar dose at a time. The risk of side effects from the drug could be raised if you do that.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Tafinlar on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

“Don’t use more Tafinlar than your doctor prescribes. Side effects can be serious if you use more than this.”

What to do in case you take too much Tafinlar

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Tafinlar. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages provided by the drug manufacturer are described in the sections above. If your doctor recommends Tafinlar, they will prescribe the correct amount.

Remember, you shouldn’t change your dosage of Tafinlar without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Tafinlar exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Some questions you may want to ask your doctor.

  • Is there any other medication that may affect my Tafinlar dose?
  • If I have side effects from Tafinlar, what is an example of a lower dose that I could take?
  • Is it a good time to take my Tafinlar dose?
  • “Should my dose be changed if Tafinlar isn’t working well?”

Q:

If I have diabetes, should I take a lower dose of Tafinlar?

Anonymous

A:

“If you have diabetes, you don’t need to take a lower dose of Tafinlar.”

It’s important to note that Tafinlar may cause high blood sugar. In some people, this can lead to diabetes. Or if you already have diabetes, taking Tafinlar could make your condition worse.

Adjusting your diabetes treatment plan is the most effective way to manage high blood sugar. Your doctor may increase the amount of your diabetes drugs. If your doctor lowers your Tafinlar dosage, it may help manage your blood sugar.

If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about managing your blood sugar while you take Tafinlar.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.