When you or someone close to you is being treated for cancer, it's normal to feel a little curious and a little apprehensive about the medications your doctor prescribes. Today, we're talking about a specific drug used to treat such cancers, Trametinib. In this article, we'll talk about this drug in simple, easy-to-understand language.
What is Trametinib?
Simply put, tramatinib is a drug that is used to control the growth of cancer cells, that is, to stop their growth. It works as a targeted therapy. This means that this drug specifically targets and damages cancer cells rather than healthy cells.
This medicine is mainly used for:
- Melanoma is a type of skin cancer.
- A type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer .
- For thyroid cancer.
- For other solid tumors with a specific genetic marker.
The main function of this drug is to slow down the rate at which cancer cells divide and spread. This is a great help in controlling cancer.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before starting tramatinib, it is very important to give your doctor a complete picture of your health. Because some medical conditions require special care when using this medication. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following:
| Illness or condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Bleeding problems | Bleeding tendency or blood-related diseases. |
| Blood clots | If you have had blood clots before. |
| Diabetes | High blood sugar levels. |
| Heart disease | Any type of heart disease. |
| High blood pressure | If you have high blood pressure. |
| Kidney or liver disease | Problems with kidney or liver function. |
| Lung diseases | Other lung-related diseases such as asthma. |
| Digestive system problems | Conditions such as colitis. |
| Vision problems | Any eye-related condition. |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | If you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding. |
| Allergies | If you have allergies to tramatinib or any other medicines, foods, or dyes. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
The method of using this medicine is very simple, but very important.
- Oral tablet: This is a tablet that is taken with water.
- Take on an empty stomach: For best results, take this medicine at least one hour before or two hours after eating .
- At the same time every day: Try to take your medicine at the same time every day as much as possible. This will help keep the levels of the medicine in your body consistent.
- Follow your doctor's instructions: Keep taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop halfway.
Should this medicine be given to children?
In some special cases, this medicine can be prescribed to children over the age of 6. But it should be done with great care and under special medical supervision. Be sure to talk to your doctor about this.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is less than 12 hours until your next dose (i.e., if you are more than 12 hours late), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Things we need to be especially careful about when taking medicine
While taking this medication, it is very important to pay attention to changes in your body.
- Regular medical checkups: Be sure to go to your doctor's appointments. This is essential to monitor your progress.
- Bleeding risk: This medicine may slightly increase your risk of bleeding or bruising. If you notice any unusual bruising or bleeding, tell your doctor immediately.
- Vision: Your eyes will be checked before you start taking the medication and while you are taking it. If you experience blurred vision, halos around lights, or decreased vision, tell your doctor right away.
- Blood sugar levels: This medication may increase blood sugar levels. This risk is even higher if you have diabetes. Ask your healthcare team about ways to reduce this risk.
Special information about pregnancy and breastfeeding
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This point is very important.
* Women: Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine and for 4 months after stopping the medicine. Tell your doctor immediately if you are planning to become pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant.
* Men: If you are taking this medicine, do not try to conceive a child while taking the medicine and for 4 months after stopping.
* Breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed your baby while taking this medicine and for 4 months after stopping.
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This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. It can also affect fertility. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, tramatinib can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. The most important thing is to be aware of these and take action if you notice any serious symptoms.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Abnormal bleeding | Black or bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, red/dark brown urine, small red/purple spots on the skin, unusual bruising. |
| Blood clot | Leg pain, swelling or warmth, difficulty breathing, chest pain. |
| Vision changes | Blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, loss of vision. |
| Heart failure | Difficulty breathing, swelling of the ankles, feet, hands, sudden weight gain, unusual fatigue. |
| High blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) | Excessive thirst, frequent urination, unusual fatigue, blurred vision. |
| Fever, skin rash | These may also be signs of a serious condition. |
| Things to tell your doctor if they are usually not serious, but persist | |
| Nausea and vomiting | Stomach discomfort, vomiting. |
| Swelling | Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
How to keep medicine safe?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Store in the refrigerator: This medicine should be stored between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (2°C - 8°C), meaning on the inside shelf of the refrigerator, not in the door .
- Protect from light and moisture. Keep the medicine bottle tightly closed.
- The packet inside the bottle: Do not remove the small packet (desiccant) inside the medicine bottle to absorb moisture. It helps keep the medicine fresh.
- Expired medications: Do not use expired medications. Consult your doctor about how to properly dispose of them.
Take-Home Message
- Trametinib is a targeted therapy that controls the growth of cancer cells.
- Always take this medicine on an empty stomach, exactly as your doctor tells you, and at the prescribed time.
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and allergies.
- Avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding completely while taking the medicine and for 4 months after stopping. This advice applies to both women and men.
- If you notice any serious side effects such as unusual bleeding, vision changes, difficulty breathing, or severe skin rashes, inform your doctor immediately.
- If you have any questions about this medication, don't be afraid to discuss it with your doctor.
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