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Overview: Braftovi is used to treat certain types of cancer. Common side effects include tiredness, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and joint or muscle pain. Call your health care provider right away if you notice any skin changes or if you have shortness of breath, vision changes, or feel faint, dizzy, or lightheaded. These could be symptoms of a serious side effect. Keep all appointments with your health care provider before, during, and after taking Braftovi. Braftovi is a capsule that is swallowed. 

Uses

What is Braftovi used for?

Braftovi (encorafenib) is commonly used to treat certain kinds of cancer, including the following.

Your health care provider can do a test to see if your cancer should be treated with Braftovi.

Braftovi may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Braftovi work (mechanism of action)?

Braftovi is a type of medicine known as a kinase inhibitor. It works by targeting a specific protein in certain cancer cells. By blocking the action of this protein, Braftovi can help prevent cancer cells from growing or spreading.

How is Braftovi supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Braftovi

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 75 mg oral capsules

How should I store Braftovi?

Braftovi should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when you’re transporting it. Store it in a cool, dry place. Keep Braftovi in the original bottle with the cap tightly closed. The bottle will also have a desiccant packet to help protect the medicine from moisture. Do not remove the packet.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Braftovi?

The most common side effects of Braftovi are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on why you are taking Braftovi. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you. 

  • Tiredness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Numbness, burning, or tingling in your hands or feet
  • Rash, including an acne-like rash
  • Diarrhea
  • Decreased appetite
  • Bleeding (see below)
  • Fever
  • Vision changes (see below)
  • Constipation
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough

There may be other side effects of Braftovi that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Braftovi?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Braftovi are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Braftovi may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Braftovi and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown, depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Cancer. Braftovi can cause a new cancer to develop or cause a previously treated cancer to recur. Tell your health care provider about any new symptoms that you may get. Also tell your health care provider right away about any changes to your skin, such as changes to moles or new sores, bumps, or warts. Keep all appointments with your health care provider before, during, and after taking Braftovi.

Thickened Heart Muscle. Braftovi may cause your heart muscle to become thicker and not work as well, also known as cardiomyopathy. This may also increase your risk of heart failure. Keep all appointments with your health care provider to check your heart before starting and while taking Braftovi. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of cardiomyopathy or heart failure.

  • Shortness of breath, coughing, or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, legs, or hands
  • Unusually fast weight gain or bloating 
  • Unusual tiredness
  • A heartbeat that flutters or feels fast or pounding
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Braftovi. Keep all appointments for bloodwork while you are taking Braftovi. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Severe Bleeding. Braftovi can increase your risk of severe bleeding that can lead to death. Some people with serious bleeding may need a blood transfusion or surgery. Call your health care provider right away if you have unusual bleeding, such as nosebleeds, or any of the following signs of severe bleeding while taking Braftovi.

  • Pink, red, or brown urine (pee)
  • Vomit with blood that looks like coffee grounds
  • Red or black poop (looks like tar)
  • Coughing up blood or blood clots
  • Feeling weak, dizzy, or having headaches

Vision Changes. Braftovi may cause eye inflammation (uveitis). Keep all scheduled eye exams before starting and while taking Braftovi. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of uveitis.

  • Eye pain, redness, or swelling
  • Vision changes, such as blurred or double vision
  • Worsening vision
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Floaters (tiny dots or specks in your vision)

Heart Rhythm Changes. Braftovi may cause a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people who are older, have other people in their family who have had these conditions, have low potassium or magnesium levels, or who take medicines that can prolong the QT interval. Tell your health care provider right away if you faint, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast or skipping heartbeat.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Braftovi?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Braftovi.

  • Braftovi
  • Encorafenib
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Braftovi.

What should I know about Braftovi before using it?

Do not take Braftovi unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Braftovi with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Braftovi out of the reach of children.

If you throw up (vomit) after taking your Braftovi dose, do not take another dose. Skip the dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Braftovi may cause fertility problems in people who were assigned male at birth. Talk with your health care provider if this is a concern for you. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using Braftovi?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Braftovi is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

  • Bleeding problems
  • Eye problems
  • Heart problems, including cardiomyopathy, heart failure, or QT prolongation, or if your family members have had any heart problems
  • Electrolyte problems, including low calcium, magnesium, or potassium levels
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Braftovi may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Braftovi, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Braftovi may harm an unborn baby. If you can get pregnant, your health care provider will likely give you a test to make sure you are not pregnant before you start taking Braftovi. If you can get pregnant, you should use effective non-hormonal birth control while taking Braftovi and for two weeks after your last dose. Talk to your health care provider about your birth control options. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Braftovi passes into breast milk. You should not breastfeed while taking Braftovi and for two weeks after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Braftovi?

For more information about Braftovi, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.braftovi.com or call them at 844-792-7729.

Interactions

Does Braftovi interact with foods or drinks?

Grapefruit interacts with Braftovi. It is important to avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Braftovi. This is because grapefruit can affect your body’s ability to break down Braftovi, which can lead to high levels of the medicine and an increased risk of side effects. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Braftovi, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer. Both Braftovi and alcohol may also increase your risk of bleeding. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Does Braftovi interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Braftovi.

  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression
  • A birth control pill, patch, vaginal ring, implant, injection, or intrauterine device (IUD) that contains hormones
  • Any medicine that can cause QT prolongation, which is a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem
  • Modafinil, which is a medicine used to treat certain sleep conditions
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole, posaconazole (Noxafil), or voriconazole (Vfend), which are medicines used for fungal infections
  • Diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure and other conditions

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Braftovi, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Braftovi. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Braftovi?

If you or someone else has used too much Braftovi, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Braftovi?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.