Mekinist (trametinib) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain types of cancer in adults and some children. Mekinist comes as an oral tablet or solution that’s typically taken once per day. The dosage may vary.
Mekinist is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat melanoma (skin cancer) in adults that’s spread to other parts of the body or can’t be removed with surgery.
Mekinist is approved to be used along with Tafinlar (dabrafenib) in adults to treat:
- BRAF V600E or V600K mutation-positive melanoma that’s spread to lymph nodes
- metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a BRAF V600E mutation
- anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) that’s grown beyond the thyroid gland or spread to other parts of the body
In children ages 1 year and older, Mekinist is approved to be used along with Tafinlar (dabrafenib) to treat the following:
- BRAF V600E mutation-positive tumors that have spread to other parts of the body or can’t be removed with surgery
- BRAF V600E mutation-positive low grade glioma (LGG), a type of brain tumor
Mekinist belongs to a drug class called kinase inhibitors. Mekinist is not available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Mekinist, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Mekinist, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Mekinist provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Mekinist, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Read below for details about Mekinist’s dosages for its approved uses.
Mekinist forms
Mekinist comes in two forms:
- an oral tablet
- a powder for oral liquid solution
Mekinist strengths
Mekinist tablets come in two strengths: 0.5 milligrams (mg) and 2 mg. Mekinist powder for oral solution comes in one strength of 0.05 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL).
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown below.
Dosage for melanoma
Doctors may prescribe Mekinist to treat melanoma. In some cases, Mekinist may be given along with Tafinlar (dabrafenib).
If your doctor prescribes Mekinist tablets for melanoma, your dose will be 2 mg. Typically, you’ll take this once per day.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
In some cases, doctors may prescribe Mekinist oral solution instead of tablets. The dosage is based on your body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). The table below shows the recommended dosage of Mekinist solution based on body weight.
| Body weight | Recommended dosage of Mekinist |
|---|---|
| 30 to 33 kg (about 66 to 73 lb) | 1 mg (20 mL) once per day |
| 34 to 37 kg (about 75 to 82 lb) | 1.15 mg (23 mL) once per day |
| 38 to 41 kg (about 84 to 90 lb) | 1.25 mg (25 mL) once per day |
| 42 to 45 kg (about 93 to 99 lb) | 1.4 mg (28 mL) once per day |
| 46 to 50 kg (about 101 to 110 lb) | 1.6 mg (32 mL) once per day |
| 51 kg or more (about 112 lb or more) | 2 mg (40 mL) once per day |
Dosage for non-small cell lung cancer
Mekinist is also approved to help treat non-small cell lung cancer. The dosage is the same as the dosage for melanoma. See the “Dosage for melanoma” section above for details.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Dosage for anaplastic thyroid cancer
Mekinist is also approved to help treat anaplastic thyroid cancer. The dosage is the same as the dosage for melanoma. See the “Dosage for melanoma” section above for details.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Dosage for solid tumors
Mekinist is also approved to help treat solid tumors. The dosage is the same as the dosage for melanoma. See the “Dosage for melanoma” section above for details.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Dosage for low grade glioma
Mekinist is also approved to help treat low grade glioma. The dosage is the same as the dosage for melanoma. See the “Dosage for melanoma” section above for details.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Children’s dosage
Mekinist is approved to treat solid tumors and low grade glioma in children ages 1 year and older. Mekinist tablets are approved to treat children who weigh 26 kg or more. The dosage is based on the child’s body weight in kg. One kg equals about 2.2 lb. The following table shows the children’s dosage for Mekinist tablets.
| Body weight | Dosage |
|---|---|
| 26 to 37 kg (about 57 to 82 lb) | 1 mg once per day |
| 38 to 50 kg (about 84 to 110 lb) | 1.5 mg once per day |
| 51 kg or more (about 112 lb or more) | 2 mg once per day |
Mekinist powder for oral solution is also approved for children who weigh at least 8 kg (18 lb). The following table shows the dosage of Mekinist solution based on body weight.
| Body weight | Dosage |
|---|---|
| 8 kg (about 18 lb) | 0.3 mg (6 mL) once per day |
| 9 kg (about 20 lb) | 0.35 mg (7 mL) once per day |
| 10 kg (about 22 lb) | 0.35 mg (7 mL) once per day |
| 11 kg (about 24 lb) | 0.4 mg (8 mL) once per day |
| 12 to 13 kg (about 27 to 29 lb) | 0.45 mg (9mL) once per day |
| 14 to 17 kg (about 31 to 38 lb) | 0.55 mg (11 mL) once per day |
| 18 to 21 kg (about 40 to 46 lb) | 0.7 mg (14 mL) once per day |
| 22 to 25 kg (about 49 to 55 lb) | 0.85 mg (17 mL) once per day |
| 26 to 29 kg (about 57 to 64 lb) | 0.9 mg (18 mL) once per day |
| 30 to 33 kg (about 66 to 73 lb) | 1 mg (20 mL) once per day |
| 34 to 37 kg (about 75 to 82 lb) | 1.15 mg (23 mL) once per day |
| 38 to 41 kg (about 84 to 90 lb) | 1.25 mg (25 mL) once per day |
| 42 to 45 kg (about 93 to 99 lb) | 1.4 mg (28 mL) once per day |
| 46 to 50 kg (about 101 to 110 lb) | 1.6 mg (32 mL) once per day |
| 51 kg (about 112 lb) or more | 2 mg (40 mL) once per day |
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
How to take Mekinist
Mekinist comes in two forms: an oral tablet and powder for oral liquid solution.
Oral tablet
If your doctor prescribes Mekinist oral tablets, you’ll swallow them whole. Do not divide, crush, chew, or place the tablet in water. Your doctor will likely recommend taking Mekinist tablets on an empty stomach. This means at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
It may be helpful to take Mekinist tablets around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Mekinist can work effectively.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Store Mekinist tablets in the refrigerator in the original container. Do not put the tablets in a pill box.
Powder for oral liquid solution
If your doctor prescribes Mekinist powder for oral liquid solution, your pharmacist will mix the powder with water before you receive it. The medication comes with an oral syringe to measure the dose. Mekinist solution can be used for 35 days once it’s mixed. Discard any remaining solution after 35 days.
Your doctor will likely recommend taking Mekinist solution on an empty stomach. This means at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
It may be helpful to take Mekinist solution around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Mekinist can work effectively.
Store Mekinist solution at room temperature below 77°F (25°C). Do not freeze the solution.
If you have questions about how to take Mekinist, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There are also step-by-step instructions in the drug’s product information.
Long-term treatment
How long you take Mekinist may depend on the condition being treated. In most cases, you’ll take Mekinist as long as it is working for you and you don’t have any serious side effects.
Before you start taking Mekinist, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Mekinist in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
It’s important that you don’t take more Mekinist than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
Effects of an overdose
There have been cases of an eye problem known as retinal pigment epithelial detachment after taking too much Mekinist.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Mekinist
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Mekinist. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Mekinist.
How long does it take for Mekinist to start working?
It depends. Mekinist may be used to treat different types of cancer and may be used alone or with Tafinlar (dabrafenib). How long it takes to work may be different for each person.
Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Mekinist treatment.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Mekinist?
If you miss a dose of Mekinist, take it as soon as you remember. If it is less than 12 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose, and take your next dose at the scheduled time.
If you vomit after a dose of Mekinist, do not take an extra dose to make up for it. Take your next dose at the scheduled time.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.