Tafinlar is a treatment option for certain types of cancer.

Tafinlar is a prescription medication that is used to treat certain types of cancer.

Tafinlar is used with the drug Mekinist.

Tafinlar has an active ingredient. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. Tafinlar is a capsule that you swallow.

Tafinlar is meant to last a long time.

For more information about Tafinlar, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Tafinlar can cause mild to serious side effects. Continue reading to learn more.

Listed below are a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Tafinlar in studies.* The side effects can vary depending on what condition the drug is being used to treat. Not everyone who takes Tafinlar will have these side effects.

More common side effects in people taking Tafinlar by itself for There is a form of cancer called melanoma. that has spread or cannot be treated with surgery include:

More common side effects in people taking Tafinlar with Mekinist for There is a form of cancer called melanoma. that has spread or cannot be treated with surgery include:

More common side effects in people taking Tafinlar with Mekinist for There is a form of cancer called melanoma. that has been treated with surgery include:

  • There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever….
  • nausea
  • There is a throbbing head.
  • There is a There is a There is a There is a skin rash….
  • diarrhea and vomiting

More common side effects in people taking Tafinlar with Mekinist for Non-small cell lung cancer is not a small cell lung cancer. include:

  • There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever….
  • fatigue (low energy)
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are all symptoms.
  • Dry skin.
  • The breath was very thin.

* Side effects that occurred when people took Tafinlar with Mekinist for Aplastic thyroid cancer is a rare type. weren’t reported in studies, so their frequency is unknown. But they are expected to be similar to what people reported when taking Tafinlar with Mekinist for other conditions.

Some people may have side effects when taking Tafinlar alone or with Mekinist. Mild side effects have been reported with Tafinlar. Tafinlar is being used to treat a condition.

“These side effects should be temporary. Some may be easy to manage. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, don’t stop taking Tafinlar.”

Tafinlar may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Tafinlar prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Tafinlar, visit MedWatch.

Tafinlar can cause serious side effects, but they are not common. There are some serious side effects that have been reported with Tafinlar when taken alone or with Mekinist.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Tafinlar, call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

Get answers to questions about Tafinlar.

Does taking Tafinlar and Mekinist in combination cause different side effects compared with taking Tafinlar alone?

It is possible. Depending on whether you take Tafinlar or Mekinist, you may experience side effects. Depending on the type of cancer you are treating, the side effects can vary.

For example, in studies of Tafinlar, There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of There is a high degree of fever…. was reported regardless of whether the drug was taken with Mekinist and what cancer was being treated. But The breath was very thin. only happened in people who took Tafinlar with Mekinist to treat a certain kind of Non-small cell lung cancer is not a small cell lung cancer..

The “What are the more common side effects of Tafinlar?” section is where you can find more information. The side effects of Tafinlar can be discussed with your doctor or pharmacist.

Are the side effects of Tafinlar and Mekinist similar to those caused by chemotherapy?

Not necessarily. Tafinlar and Mekinist are targeted therapies for cancer. Targeted therapies help treat cancer by blocking specific molecules in the cancer itself. This is different from chemotherapy, which affects healthy cells as well as cancer cells in the body.

Chemo may have a higher risk of side effects than targeted therapies. The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the drug you take and the type of cancer you have.

“Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about Tafinlar and Mekinist’s side effects, and see if they compare to those of chemotherapy.”

Some of the side effects Tafinlar may cause are discussed.

Eye-related side effects

In studies, Tafinlar taken alone or with Mekinist caused ocular (eye-related) side effects, such as blurry vision and uveitis. These side effects were not common.

Blurry vision can be a symptom of Uveitis. Other symptoms of Uveitis include:

What might help

If you have blurry vision with uveitis, talk with your doctor. They’ll recommend what to do if you have this side effect. Your doctor may suggest you have an eye exam to see if uveitis may be the cause.

If you notice Eye pain. or changes in your vision, let your doctor know right away. They may prescribe certain types of eye drops to help ease your symptoms. They may also decrease your dosage of Tafinlar or tell you to stop taking it for a while.

Bleeding

In studies, bleeding problems were common in people who took Tafinlar with Mekinist for Non-small cell lung cancer is not a small cell lung cancer.. But this side effect can also happen when Tafinlar is taken alone.

Tafinlar can cause bleeding in the brain, which can be life threatening.

It may also cause serious bleeding problems in the digestive tract. Symptoms include:

Other symptoms of bleeding to watch out for include:

What might help

If you notice any bleeding, tell your doctor. They may recommend that you stop treatment.

If you have bleeding problems from Tafinlar, your doctor will likely recommend a different treatment for your cancer.

Risk of new cancers

In studies, new skin cancers were a rare side effect seen in people who took Tafinlar alone or together with Mekinist. Some people developed cancer that affected other parts of the body.

Symptoms of skin cancer include:

  • new warts or growths on your skin
  • new moles or changes in the color or size of existing moles
  • bleeding skin sores that won’t heal

What might help

Before you start taking Tafinlar, you’ll likely need to see a dermatologist. They’ll check your skin for signs of new cancer. You’ll continue to have regular skin checks with the dermatologist during treatment. And they’ll check your skin again about 6 months after your last Tafinlar dose.

Be sure to wear sunscreen and protective clothing if you’re out in the sun, and avoid using tanning beds. If you notice any changes in your skin, tell your doctor right away. They’ll try to determine what’s causing those changes and recommend the right treatment options if needed.

Talk to your doctor if you want to learn about cancer caused by Tafinlar. They can tell you about other cancer symptoms.

Increased blood sugar

In studies of Tafinlar, some people experienced increased blood sugar or worsening diabetes.

High blood sugar can cause symptoms.

What might help

If you have diabetes or prediabetes, your doctor may recommend checking your blood sugar more closely while taking Tafinlar.

If you have any symptoms of high blood sugar, you should immediately tell your doctor. They will check your blood sugar. If you have high blood sugar, your doctor may make changes to your medication. Changing the dosage of a medication is one thing.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Tafinlar can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But this side effect wasn’t common in studies of the drug.

Mild to serious symptoms can be present.

What might help

If you have a mild rash, call your doctor. They may suggest a treatment to help you. Examples include:

  • an over-the-counter antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • You apply a product to your skin.

If your doctor confirms that you have an allergic reaction to Tafinlar, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, you should call the emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and need immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you have had a serious allergic reaction to Tafinlar, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Take notes on any side effects you are having during your Tafinlar treatment. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • When you had the side effect, what dose of the drug was taking?
  • How soon did you experience the side effect?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing your notes with your doctor will help them learn more about Tafinlar. If needed, they can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

“If you have certain medical conditions, Tafinlar may not be right for you. These are drug-condition interactions. Other factors may affect Tafinlar’s treatment option.”

Before starting Tafinlar, you should talk to your doctor about your health history. The list has factors to consider.

Vision or heart problems. Studies of Tafinlar did not include people with serious eye or heart problems. So it’s not known how Tafinlar may affect people with such problems. Before starting treatment with Tafinlar, let your doctor know about any eye or heart problems you have or have had in the past.

G6PD deficiency. If you have G6PD deficiency, taking Tafinlar may increase your risk of hemolytic anemia. Before you start taking Tafinlar, let your doctor know if you have this condition. They’ll monitor you closely for hemolytic anemia and let you know what symptoms to watch for.

Prediabetes or diabetes. Tafinlar may cause increased blood sugar. If you have diabetes or prediabetes, this drug can make it difficult to manage your blood sugar levels. Before starting treatment with Tafinlar, tell your doctor if you have diabetes or prediabetes. They’ll likely have you check your blood sugar more often, and they may suggest other changes to help manage your blood sugar.

Serious liver or kidney problems. People who have serious liver or kidney problems were not included in studies of Tafinlar. So it’s unknown how Tafinlar may affect people with these problems. If you have or have had any problems with your liver or kidneys, tell your doctor before starting treatment with Tafinlar.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Tafinlar or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Tafinlar. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Alcohol and Tafinlar

It is not known if alcohol interacts with Tafinlar. If you have any concerns about drinking alcohol, talk to your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Tafinlar

Tafinlar is not a good choice during a pregnant period.

If you can become pregnant, your doctor will require you to take a pregnancy test before you can prescribe Tafinlar.

To prevent pregnancy while taking Tafinlar, if you or your partner can become pregnant, it’s recommended that you use a barrier method such as condoms. You’ll need to continue using this form of birth control for 2 weeks after your last dose of the drug.

If you become pregnant while taking Tafinlar, you should tell your doctor.

It is not known if Tafinlar passes into breast milk. It is recommended to avoid breastfeeding after your last dose of Tafinlar.

If you are planning to breastfeeding or are considering breastfeeding, you should talk to your doctor about healthy ways to feed your baby.

“Tafinlar can cause side effects in some people. Most of these are mild and won’t interfere with treatment. Some can be serious and may require stopping treatment or taking a lower dose of the drug.”

“If you are wondering about Tafinlar’s side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You need to ask questions to get the answers you need. Here are a few to get started.”

  • How can I keep Tafinlar side effects under control?
  • I have other health problems. Do I have a higher risk of side effects?
  • What could happen if I become pregnant?

Q:

I hope to become pregnant after I stop taking Tafinlar. Can this drug affect my fertility?

Anonymous

A:

It is possible that Tafinlar may affect fertility.

Studies of Tafinlar in animals found that fertility decreased in both males and females. But this kind of testing has not been done in humans. And animal studies do not always indicate what will happen in humans.

If you or your partner have concerns about fertility, talk with your doctor. They may recommend planning ahead for pregnancy before starting treatment with Tafinlar. If you can become pregnant, freezing your eggs might be an option to explore.

Talk to your doctor about ways to preserve fertility before cancer treatments.

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.