Braftovi (Encorafenib)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Braftovi Used For?
Braftovi contains encorafenib, an anti-cancer medicine that belongs to a group called BRAF inhibitors. It’s used to treat specific types of cancer that have particular genetic changes (mutations) in the BRAF gene.
Primary Uses
Braftovi is used in combination with other medicines to treat: 1) Melanoma (skin cancer) that has spread or cannot be surgically removed – taken with binimetinib (MEKTOVI), 2) Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has spread – taken with binimetinib (MEKTOVI), 3) Colorectal cancer (large intestine cancer) that has been previously treated – taken with cetuximab. Your cancer must have a specific BRAF gene mutation for this treatment to work.
How It Works
When used in combination with MEKTOVI or cetuximab, Braftovi can slow down or stop the growth of your cancer by targeting the mutated BRAF protein that helps cancer cells grow.
Important: Before starting treatment, your doctor will test your tumor to confirm it has the required BRAF mutation. Braftovi only works for cancers with these specific genetic changes.
How to Take Braftovi
Always take Braftovi exactly as your doctor has prescribed. The dose depends on which type of cancer you’re treating and which other medicine you’re taking with it.
Dosage Instructions
For melanoma and NSCLC (with MEKTOVI): Take six 75 mg capsules once daily (450 mg total). For colorectal cancer (with cetuximab): Take four 75 mg capsules once daily (300 mg total). Swallow capsules whole with a full glass of water. Can be taken with or without food, but avoid grapefruit juice. Your dose may change during treatment based on how you respond or if you experience side effects.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose and it’s less than 12 hours late, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s more than 12 hours late, skip that dose and take your next dose at the usual time. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Never double dose to make up for a missed dose. If you vomit after taking capsules, don’t take an additional dose – just take your next scheduled dose.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Vision problems
- Stomach pain
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Abnormal blood test results
- Headache and dizziness
- Fever
- Taste changes
- Constipation
- Itching and dry skin
- Hair loss or thinning
- Skin rash
- High blood pressure
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Heart problems (irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling in legs)
- Serious bleeding (coughing blood, bloody vomit, black stools, unusual vaginal bleeding)
- New skin cancers or changes in existing moles
- Severe eye problems or vision changes
- Liver problems (abnormal blood tests)
- Kidney problems or failure
- Tumour lysis syndrome (nausea, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps, seizures, cloudy urine, decreased urination, extreme tiredness)
- Severe allergic reactions
- Blood clots
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings to be aware of before and during treatment with Braftovi.
Who Should Not Take Braftovi
Do not take Braftovi if you are allergic to encorafenib or any other ingredients in the capsules. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, rash, itching, or hives.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: heart problems (including QT prolongation), liver problems, kidney problems, bleeding problems or take blood-thinning medicines, eye problems, or have had a different type of cancer other than melanoma, lung cancer, or colorectal cancer, as Braftovi may worsen certain other cancers.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Women who could become pregnant must use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose. Hormonal birth control may not work as well while taking Braftovi, so use additional barrier methods like condoms. Braftovi is not recommended while breastfeeding as it’s unknown if it passes into breast milk.
Birth Control Warning: Hormonal birth control (pills, patches, injections, implants, hormone-releasing IUDs) may not work effectively while taking Braftovi. Use additional reliable contraception methods.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Braftovi and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Avoid grapefruit juice while taking Braftovi as it may affect how the medicine works.
- Antifungal medicines (itraconazole, posaconazole, fluconazole)
- Antibiotics (rifampicin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, erythromycin, penicillin)
- Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine)
- Cancer medicines (methotrexate, imatinib)
- Cholesterol medicines (rosuvastatin, atorvastatin)
- St. John’s wort (herbal depression treatment)
- HIV medicines (ritonavir, amprenavir, raltegravir, dolutegravir)
- Hormonal birth control medicines
- Blood pressure medicines (diltiazem, bosentan, furosemide)
- Heart rhythm medicines (amiodarone)
Alcohol & Driving
Braftovi can affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Be cautious until you know how this medicine affects you.
Alcohol
The source material does not provide specific information about alcohol interactions with Braftovi. Discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Braftovi affects you. This medicine can affect your ability to drive safely, especially if you experience vision problems or other side effects that may impair your abilities. Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure whether you should drive.
Storage
Keep Braftovi capsules in their original blister pack until it’s time to take them. Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Take any unused or expired medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Braftovi, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you don’t feel unwell or show signs of poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but Braftovi works by slowing down or stopping cancer growth when used in combination with other medicines. Your doctor will monitor your progress with regular appointments.
Yes, Braftovi can be taken with or without food. However, you should avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
If your missed dose is less than 12 hours late, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s more than 12 hours late, skip that dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Never take a double dose.
No, do not stop taking Braftovi or lower the dose without checking with your doctor first. Continue taking it for as long as your doctor tells you to, even if you feel better.
If you vomit after taking the capsules, do not take an additional dose. Simply take your next scheduled dose as planned.
Braftovi only works for cancers that have specific mutations in the BRAF gene. Your doctor will test your tumor before treatment to confirm it has these particular genetic changes.
No, you should swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water. Do not push the capsule through the blister – carefully peel off the foil starting at the corner with the arrow.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.