A BRAF inhibitor for cancers with a BRAF V600 gene change
Dabrafenib
A targeted cancer medicine for tumours with a BRAF V600 gene change, often given with a MEK inhibitor.
What is Dabrafenib?
Dabrafenib is a specialist targeted cancer medicine used to treat melanoma and certain other cancers that carry a specific gene change called BRAF V600. It blocks the faulty BRAF growth signal inside cancer cells. It only works for cancers with this gene change, so the tumour is tested first, and it is often given together with a MEK inhibitor. A very common effect is fever (pyrexia), sometimes with chills, which needs reporting. Other key points include the growth of new skin cancers (so skin checks matter), raised blood sugar and inflammation inside the eye. It can harm an unborn baby, so contraception is important.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Dabrafenib — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Dabrafenib is a targeted cancer medicine known as a BRAF inhibitor. It is used to treat melanoma (a serious skin cancer) and some other cancers, but only when the tumour has a particular change in the BRAF gene called V600, which is checked by a test first. It is taken by mouth as capsules and is frequently combined with a MEK inhibitor, such as trametinib, because the pair works better and is better tolerated together. It is prescribed and supervised by a cancer specialist.
How it works
A BRAF V600 gene change switches on a growth pathway that drives the cancer to keep dividing. Dabrafenib blocks the faulty BRAF protein, turning down that growth signal so the cancer slows or shrinks. Because the cancer can learn to get around BRAF blockade alone, dabrafenib is often paired with a MEK inhibitor, which blocks the next step on the same pathway. This combination tends to work for longer and, importantly, also reduces some skin side effects compared with dabrafenib used on its own.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist targeted cancer medicine used in the UK for melanoma and certain other cancers that carry a BRAF V600 gene change, often with a MEK inhibitor.
Practical use
How to take Dabrafenib
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take the capsules by mouth as prescribed, usually on an empty stomach, away from food, at evenly spaced times.
- Take it with a MEK inhibitor if that is what you have been prescribed, as the pair is often used together.
- Report any fever, chills or feeling unwell promptly, as a fever reaction is common and may need treatment to be paused.
- Check your skin regularly and report any new or changing skin lumps or spots, and report eye pain or vision changes.
- Use reliable contraception, discuss that hormonal contraception may be less effective, and tell your team at once if you might be pregnant.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Dabrafenib
Advantages
- Targets the faulty BRAF signal in cancers with a BRAF V600 gene change, slowing or shrinking the cancer.
- Taken by mouth as capsules rather than by infusion.
- Often combined with a MEK inhibitor, which works for longer and reduces some skin side effects.
Disadvantages
- Only works for cancers with a BRAF V600 gene change, so the tumour must be tested first.
- Commonly causes fever and can lead to new skin cancers, raised blood sugar and eye inflammation.
- Can harm an unborn baby and may make hormonal contraception less reliable.
Practical use
Good to know
Dabrafenib only works for cancers that carry the BRAF V600 gene change, so the tumour is tested before it is used. A very common and characteristic effect is fever, sometimes with chills, sweats and feeling unwell, which can start in the early weeks; this fever syndrome needs reporting and is managed by your team, sometimes by pausing treatment. Two other important points are that new skin growths and skin cancers can appear, so regular skin checks and reporting new lesions matter, and that blood sugar can rise, which is especially relevant if you have diabetes. Inflammation inside the eye (uveitis) can occur, so report eye pain or vision changes. It can harm an unborn baby, so reliable contraception is needed; it may also make hormonal contraception less reliable, so discuss this with your team.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to dabrafenib should not take it.
- It should not be used for cancers that do not carry the BRAF V600 gene change, as it will not work.
- It must not be used in pregnancy because it can harm an unborn baby, and it is used with care in diabetes.
Monitoring
- Confirming the BRAF V600 gene change before starting treatment.
- Watching for fever and carrying out regular skin checks for new skin cancers.
- Checking blood sugar and reviewing eyes and blood counts as needed.
Side effects
- Fever, sometimes with chills and feeling unwell, often in the early weeks.
- Headache, joint pain, tiredness and skin changes such as thickened skin or rash.
- New skin growths and skin cancers, which is why regular skin checks are important.
- Less commonly, raised blood sugar, inflammation inside the eye (uveitis), or changes in blood counts.
Key interactions
- Some medicines can raise or lower dabrafenib levels, so tell your team about everything you take.
- It can make hormonal contraception less reliable, so an additional or different method may be advised.
- It can affect the levels of certain other medicines, which your team will review.
Available as: Capsules taken by mouth.
Answers
Dabrafenib: frequently asked questions
What is dabrafenib used for?
It is used to treat melanoma and certain other cancers, but only when the tumour carries a particular gene change called BRAF V600, which is tested for first.
Why might I get a fever on it?
Fever, sometimes with chills, is a very common effect of dabrafenib; it should be reported, as your team may need to pause treatment and treat it.
Why do I need skin checks?
Dabrafenib can cause new skin growths and skin cancers, so regular skin checks and reporting any new or changing lesions are important.
Why is it given with another medicine?
It is often combined with a MEK inhibitor, which works for longer and reduces some skin side effects compared with dabrafenib used alone.
Can it affect my contraception?
It may make hormonal contraception less reliable, so discuss this with your team, as effective contraception is needed because it can harm an unborn baby.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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