(kap-MA-ti-nib)
Trade Name: Tabrecta®
Capmatinib is the generic name for the trade name drug Tabrecta®. In some cases, health care professionals may use trade name or the generic name when referring to the drug.
Drug Type: Capmatinib is a targeted therapy. This medication is classified as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) inhibitor (for more detail, see “How Capmatinib Works” below).
What Capmatinib Is Used For
- Treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and have a specific abnormality in the mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) gene, called MET exon 14 skipping.
Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians may elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it may be helpful.
How Capmatinib Is Given
- Capmatinib is a pill taken by mouth twice daily. It can be taken with or without food.
- Take capmatinib exactly as prescribed.
- Swallow capmatinib tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew tablets.
- Do not change your dose or stop capmatinib unless your health care provider tells you to.
- If you miss or vomit a dose of capmatinib, do not make up the dose. Administer the next dose at its scheduled time.
- Do not take more than 1 dose of capmatinib at a time. Call your health care provider right away if you take too much.
The amount of capmatinib that you will receive depends on many factors, your general health or other health problems, and the type of side effects you might have. Your doctor will determine your exact dosage.
Side Effects
Important things to remember about the side effects of capmatinib:
- Most people will not experience all of the side effects listed.
- Side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset, duration, and severity.
- Side effects are almost always reversible and will go away after treatment is complete.
- There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects.
The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking capmatinib:
These are less common side effects (occurring in 10-29%) for patients receiving capmatinib:
These are rare serious side effects for patient receiving capmatinib:
- Photosensitivity
- Pulmonary toxicity (damage to the lungs). When this side effect occurred, it was often accompanied by difficulty breathing with cough or a low-grade fever.
Not all side effects are listed above. Side effects that are very rare -- occurring in less than about 10 percent of patients -- are not listed here. But you should always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
When to Contact Your Doctor or Health Care Provider
Contact your health care provider immediately, day or night, if you should experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever of 100.4º F (38º C) or higher, chills (possible signs of infection)
- Feeling short of breath, accompanied by cough and/or fever
- Signs of low blood sugar, like dizziness, headache, fatigue, feeling weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, increased hunger, or sweating.
The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not an emergency. Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:
- Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medication
- Vomiting (vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24 hour period)
- Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period)
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Dark urine or light-colored stools
- Black or tarry stools, or blood in your stools
- Blood in the urine
- Pain or burning with urination
- Extreme fatigue (unable to carry on self-care activities)
- Mouth sores (painful redness, swelling or ulcers)
- New or worsening cough or shortness of breath
Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
Precautions
- Before starting capmatinib treatment, make sure you tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking (including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbal remedies, etc.). Do not take aspirin, products containing aspirin unless your doctor specifically permits this.
- Do not receive any kind of immunization or vaccination without your doctor’s approval while taking capmatinib.
- For both men and women: Use contraceptives, and do not conceive a child (get pregnant) while taking capmatinib. Barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, are recommended during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose of capmatinib.
- Do not breast feed while taking capmatinib and for 1 week after the last dose.
Self-Care Tips
- Drink at least two to three quarts of fluid every 24 hours, unless you are instructed otherwise.
- You may be at risk of infection so try to avoid crowds or people with colds, and report fever or any other signs of infection immediately to your health care provider.
- Wash your hands often.
- Use an electric razor and a soft toothbrush to minimize bleeding.
- Avoid contact sports or activities that could cause injury.
- To reduce nausea, take anti-nausea medications as prescribed by your doctor, and eat small, frequent meals.
- Follow regimen of anti-diarrhea medication as prescribed by your health care professional.
- Eat foods that may help reduce diarrhea (see managing side effects - diarrhea)
- Avoid sun exposure. Wear SPF 30 (or higher) sunblock and protective clothing.
- In general, drinking alcoholic beverages should be kept to a minimum or avoided completely. You should discuss this with your doctor.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Maintain good nutrition.
- Remain active as you are able. Gentle exercise is encouraged such as a daily walk.
- If you experience symptoms or side effects, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
Monitoring and Testing While Taking Capmatinib
You will be checked regularly by your doctor while you are taking capmatinib, to monitor side effects and check your response to therapy. Periodic blood work will be ordered by your doctor to monitor your complete blood count (CBC) as well as the function of other organs (such as your kidneys and liver).
How Capmatinib Works
Cancer is a disease caused by changes, also known as mutations, in DNA that change the way cells grow and divide. Cancer cells can be destroyed using many different types of medications that work in very different ways. Examples of medications that destroy cancer cells include cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and antibody-drug conjugates.
Targeted therapy is about identifying the other features of cancer cells. Scientists look for specific differences in the cancer cells and the normal cells. This information is used to create a targeted therapy to attack the cancer cells without damaging the normal cells, thus leading to fewer side effects. Many targeted therapies are small molecule drugs. These drugs are small enough to enter the cell and affect other molecules such as proteins or DNA. Each type of targeted therapy works a little bit differently but all interfere with the ability of the cancer cell to grow, divide, repair and/or communicate with other cells.
Capmatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that inhibits mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) exon 14 skipping. MET exon 14 skipping results in signals that can increase cancer cell growth. Capmatinib block these cells' signals to stop the growth of the cancer cells.
Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.