warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Review the Full Prescribing Information for dabrafenib for information on the serious risks of dabrafenib prior to initiation of MEKINIST with dabrafenib. • New primary malignancies, cutaneous and non-cutaneous, can occur when MEKINIST is used with dabrafenib. Monitor patients for new malignancies prior to initiation of therapy while on therapy, and following discontinuation of treatment. ( 5.1 , 2.3 ) • Hemorrhage : Major hemorrhagic events can occur. Monitor for signs and symptoms of bleeding ( 5.2 , 2.3 ) • Venous thromboembolism : Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism can occur in patients receiving MEKINIST. ( 5.3 , 2.3 ). • Cardiomyopathy : Assess LVEF before treatment, after one month of treatment, then every 2 to 3 months thereafter. ( 5.4 , 2.3 ) • Ocular toxicities : Perform ophthalmologic evaluation for any visual disturbances. For Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO), permanently discontinue MEKINIST. ( 5.5 , 2.3 ). • Interstitial lung disease (ILD): Withhold MEKINIST for new or progressive unexplained pulmonary symptoms. Permanently discontinue MEKINIST for treatment-related ILD or pneumonitis. ( 5.6 , 2.3 ) • Serious febrile reactions: Can occur when MEKINIST is used with dabrafenib. ( 5.7 , 2.3 ) • Serious skin toxicity: Monitor for skin toxicities and for secondary infections. Discontinue MEKINIST for intolerable Grade 2, or Grade 3 or 4 rash not improving within 3 weeks despite interruption of MEKINIST. ( 5.8 , 2.3 ) • Hyperglycemia: Monitor serum glucose levels in patients with pre-existing diabetes or hyperglycemia. ( 5.9 , 2.3 ) • Embryo-fetal toxicity: MEKINIST can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. ( 5.10 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) 5.1 New Primary Malignancies New primary malignancies, cutaneous and non-cutaneous, can occur when MEKINIST is administered with dabrafenib. Cutaneous Malignancies In Trial 2, the incidence of basal cell carcinoma in patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib was 3.3% (7/209) compared with 6% (13/211) in patients receiving single-agent dabrafenib. The median time to first diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma was 5.1 months (range: 2.8 to 23.9 months) in the MEKINIST plus dabrafenib arm and was 4.4 months (range: 29 days to 16.5 months) in the dabrafenib arm. Among the 7 patients receiving MEKINIST with dabrafenib who developed basal cell carcinoma, 2 (29%) experienced more than one occurrence (range: 1 to 3). Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cuSCC) and keratoacanthoma occurred in 3% of patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib and 10% of patients receiving single-agent dabrafenib. The median time to first diagnosis of cuSCC was 7.3 months (range: 1.8 to 16.8 months) in the MEKINIST plus dabrafenib arm and was 2 months (range: 9 days to 20.9 months) in the dabrafenib arm. New primary melanoma occurred in 0.5% (1/209) of patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib and in 1.9% (4/211) of patients receiving dabrafenib alone. Perform dermatologic evaluations prior to initiation of MEKINIST when used with dabrafenib, every 2 months while on therapy, and for up to 6 months following discontinuation of the combination. No dose modifications of MEKINIST are recommended in patients who develop new primary cutaneous malignancies. Non-Cutaneous Malignancies Based on its mechanism of action, dabrafenib may promote growth and development of malignancies with activation of RAS through mutation or other mechanisms [refer to the Full Prescribing Information for dabrafenib]. In Trial 2, non-cutaneous malignancies occurred in 1.4% (3/209) of patients receiving MEKINIST plus dabrafenib and in 2.8% (6/211) of patients receiving single-agent dabrafenib. Monitor patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib closely for signs or symptoms of non-cutaneous malignancies. No dose modification is required for MEKINIST in patients who develop non-cutaneous malignancies [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. 5.2 Hemorrhage Hemorrhages, including major hemorrhages defined as symptomatic bleeding in a critical area or organ, can occur with MEKINIST. In Trial 2, the incidence of hemorrhagic events in patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib was 19% (40/209) compared with 15% (32/211) of patients receiving dabrafenib alone. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage occurred in 6% (12/209) of patients receiving MEKINIST in combination with dabrafenib compared with 2.8% (6/211) of patients receiving single-agent dabrafenib. In Trial 2, 1.4% (3/209) of patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib developed fatal intracranial hemorrhage compared with none of the patients receiving single-agent dabrafenib alone. Permanently discontinue MEKINIST for all Grade 4 hemorrhagic events and for any Grade 3 hemorrhagic events that do not improve. Withhold MEKINIST for Grade 3 hemorrhagic events; if improved, resume at the next lower dose level. 5.3 Venous Thromboembolism Venous thromboembolism can occur with MEKINIST. In Trial 2, deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) occurred in 2.8% (6/209) of patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib compared with 0.9% (2/211) of patients receiving single-agent dabrafenib. Advise patients to immediately seek medical care if they develop symptoms of DVT or PE, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or arm or leg swelling. Permanently discontinue MEKINIST for life threatening PE. Withhold MEKINIST for uncomplicated DVT and PE for up to 3 weeks; if improved, MEKINIST may be resumed at a lower dose level [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)] . 5.4 Cardiomyopathy Cardiomyopathy, including cardiac failure, can occur with MEKINIST. In clinical trials of MEKINIST, all patients were required to have an echocardiogram at baseline to document normal LVEF and repeat echocardiograms at Week 4, Week 12, and every 12 weeks thereafter. In Trial 1, cardiomyopathy [defined as cardiac failure, left ventricular dysfunction, or decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)] occurred in 7% (14/211) of patients receiving MEKINIST; no chemotherapy-treated patient in Trial 1 developed cardiomyopathy. The median time to onset of cardiomyopathy in patients receiving MEKINIST was 2.1 months (range: 16 days to 5.1 months); cardiomyopathy was identified within the first month of receiving MEKINIST in five of these 14 patients. Four percent of patients in Trial 1 required discontinuation (4/211) and/or dose reduction (7/211) of MEKINIST. Cardiomyopathy resolved in 10 of these 14 (71%) patients. Across clinical trials of MEKINIST as a single agent (N = 329), 11% of patients developed evidence of cardiomyopathy [decrease in LVEF below institutional lower limits of normal (LLN) with an absolute decrease in LVEF ≥10% below baseline] and 5% demonstrated a decrease in LVEF below institutional LLN with an absolute decrease in LVEF of ≥20% below baseline. In Trial 2, evidence of cardiomyopathy (decrease in LVEF below the institutional LLN with an absolute decrease in LVEF ≥ 10% below baseline) occurred in 6% (12/206) of patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib and in 2.9% (6/207) of patients receiving single-agent dabrafenib. The median time to onset of cardiomyopathy in patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib was 8.2 months (range: 28 days to 24.9 months); cardiomyopathy was identified within the first month of receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib in 2 of these 12 patients. In patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib, cardiomyopathy resulted in dose interruption (4.4%), dose reduction (2.4%), and permanent discontinuation (1.5%) of MEKINIST. Cardiomyopathy resolved in 10 of 12 patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib. Assess LVEF by echocardiogram or multigated acquisition (MUGA) scan before initiation of MEKINIST as a single agent or with dabrafenib, one month after initiation, and then at 2- to 3-month intervals while on treatment. Withhold MEKINIST for up to 4 weeks if absolute LVEF value decreases by 10% from pretreatment values and is less than the lower limit of normal. For symptomatic cardiomyopathy or persistent, asymptomatic LV dysfunction of >20% from baseline that is below LLN that does not resolve within 4 weeks, permanently discontinue MEKINIST [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)] . 5.5 Ocular Toxicities Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) Across all clinical trials with MEKINIST, the incidence of RVO was 0.2% (4/1,749). RVO may lead to macular edema, decreased visual function, neovascularization, and glaucoma. Urgently (within 24 hours) perform ophthalmological evaluation for patient-reported loss of vision or other visual disturbances. Permanently discontinue MEKINIST in patients with documented RVO [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)] . Retinal Pigment Epithelial Detachment (RPED) Retinal pigment epithelial detachment (RPED) can occur with MEKINIST administration. Retinal detachments may be bilateral and multifocal, occurring in the central macular region of the retina or elsewhere in the retina. In Trial 1 and Trial 2, routine monitoring of patients to detect asymptomatic RPED was not conducted; therefore, the true incidence of this finding is unknown. Perform ophthalmological evaluation periodically and at any time a patient reports visual disturbances. Withhold MEKINIST if RPED is diagnosed. If resolution of the RPED is documented on repeat ophthalmological evaluation within 3 weeks, resume MEKINIST. Reduce the dose or discontinue MEKINIST if no improvement after 3 weeks [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)] . 5.6 Interstitial Lung Disease I n clinical trials of single-agent MEKINIST (N = 329), ILD or pneumonitis occurred in 2% of patients. In Trial 1, 2.4% (5/211) of patients treated with MEKINIST developed ILD or pneumonitis; all five patients required hospitalization. The median time to first presentation of ILD or pneumonitis was 5.3 months (range: 2 to 5.7 months). In Trial 2, 1.0% (2/209) of patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib developed pneumonitis compared with none of the patients receiving single-agent dabrafenib. Withhold MEKINIST in patients presenting with new or progressive pulmonary symptoms and findings including cough, dyspnea, hypoxia, pleural effusion, or infiltrates, pending clinical investigations. Permanently discontinue MEKINIST for patients diagnosed with treatment-related ILD or pneumonitis [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. 5.7 Serious Febrile Reactions Serious febrile reactions and fever of any severity accompanied by hypotension, rigors or chills, dehydration, or renal failure, can occur when MEKINIST is administered with dabrafenib. Fever (serious and non-serious) occurred in 57% (119/209) of patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib and in 33% (69/211) of patients receiving dabrafenib alone. The median time to initial onset of fever was 1.2 months (range: 1 day to 23.5 months) with a median duration of fever of 3 days (range: 1 day to 1.7 months) on the MEKINIST plus dabrafenib arm compared with a median time to initial onset of fever of 20 days (range: 1 day to 22.9 months) and median duration of fever of 3 days (range: 1 day to 1.9 months) on the dabrafenib arm. Approximately one-half of the patients who received MEKINIST and dabrafenib and experienced pyrexia had three or more discrete episodes. Across clinical trials of MEKINIST administered with dabrafenib, serious febrile reactions or fever of any severity complicated by severe rigors/chills hypotension, dehydration, renal failure, or syncope, occurred in 17% (93/559) of patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib. Fever was complicated by severe chills/rigors in 0.4% (2/559), dehydration in 1.8% (10/559), renal failure in 0.5% (3/559), and syncope in 0.7% (4/559) of patients. Withhold MEKINIST for fever higher than 104ºF or for serious febrile reactions or fever accompanied by hypotension, rigors or chills, dehydration, or renal failure, and evaluate for signs and symptoms of infection. Monitor serum creatinine and other evidence of renal function during and following severe pyrexia. Refer to Table 2 for recommended dose modifications for adverse reactions [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)] . Administer antipyretics as secondary prophylaxis when resuming MEKINIST if patient had a prior episode of severe febrile reaction or fever associated with complications. Administer corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone 10 mg daily) for at least 5 days for second or subsequent pyrexia if temperature does not return to baseline within 3 days of onset of pyrexia, or for pyrexia associated with complications such as dehydration, hypotension renal failure, or severe chills/rigors, and there is no evidence of active infection. 5.8 Serious Skin Toxicity Serious skin toxicity can occur with MEKINIST. In Trial 1, the overall incidence of any skin toxicity, the most common of which were rash, dermatitis acneiform rash, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, and erythema, was 87% in patients receiving MEKINIST and 13% in chemotherapy-treated patients. Severe skin toxicity occurred in 12% of patients treated with MEKINIST. Skin toxicity requiring hospitalization occurred in 6% of patients treated with MEKINIST, most commonly for secondary infections of the skin requiring intravenous antibiotics or severe skin toxicity without secondary infection. In comparison, no patients treated with chemotherapy required hospitalization for severe skin toxicity or infections of the skin. The median time to initial onset of skin toxicity in patients treated with MEKINIST was 15 days (range: 1 day to 7.3 months) and median time to resolution of skin toxicity was 1.6 months (range: 1 day to 9.3 months). Reductions in the dose of MEKINIST were required in 12% and permanent discontinuation of MEKINIST was required in 1% of patients with skin toxicity . In Trial 2, the overall incidence of any skin toxicity was 55% for patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib compared with 55% for patients receiving single-agent dabrafenib. No serious or severe cases of skin toxicity occurred in patients treated with MEKINIST and dabrafenib. The median time to initial onset of skin toxicity for patients receiving MEKINIST with dabrafenib was 1.9 months (range: 1 day to 22.1 months) and median time to resolution of skin toxicity for patients receiving MEKINIST with dabrafenib was 1.2 months (range: 1 day to 24.4 months). Reductions in the dose of MEKINIST were required in 5% of patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib and no patients required permanent discontinuation of MEKINIST for skin toxicity. Across clinical trials of MEKINIST administered with dabrafenib (N = 559), serious skin toxicity occurred in 0.7% (4/559) of patients. Withhold MEKINIST for intolerable or severe skin toxicity. Resume MEKINIST at reduced doses in patients with improvement or recovery from skin toxicity within 3 weeks [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)] . 5.9 Hyperglycemia Hyperglycemia requiring an increase in the dose of, or initiation of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agent therapy can occur when MEKINIST is administered with dabrafenib. In Trial 2, 27% (4/15) of patients with a history of diabetes who received MEKINIST and dabrafenib and 13% (2/16) of patients with a history of diabetes who received single-agent dabrafenib required more intensive hypoglycemic therapy. Grade 3 and Grade 4 hyperglycemia based on laboratory values occurred in 5% (11/208) and 0.5% (1/208) of patients receiving MEKINIST and dabrafenib, respectively, compared with 4.3% (9/209) for Grade 3 hyperglycemia and no patients with Grade 4 hyperglycemia for patients receiving single-agent dabrafenib. Monitor serum glucose levels upon initiation and as clinically appropriate when MEKINIST is administered with dabrafenib in patients with pre-existing diabetes or hyperglycemia. 5.10 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on findings from animal studies and its mechanism of action, MEKINIST can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Trametinib was embryotoxic and abortifacient in rabbits at doses greater than or equal to those resulting in exposures approximately 0.3 times the human exposure at the recommended clinical dose. If MEKINIST is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking MEKINIST, advise the patient of the potential risk to a fetus [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)] . Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with MEKINIST and for 4 months after treatment. Advise patients to contact their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, or if pregnancy is suspected, while taking MEKINIST [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3)] .