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Tabrecta is used to treat certain types of non-small-cell lung cancer. It helps stop certain cancer cells from growing and multiplying. Common side effects include fluid retention, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, tiredness, and weakness. Keep all appointments for blood tests before and during treatment with Tabrecta. Tabrecta can make your skin more sensitive to light from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. If you have new or worsening trouble breathing while taking Tabrecta, get emergency help right away. 

Uses

What is Tabrecta used for?

Tabrecta (capmatinib) is commonly used to treat certain types of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

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

How does Tabrecta work (mechanism of action)?

Your health care provider can test your cancer to see if it is likely to respond to Tabrecta. Tabrecta is a specific kind of medicine called a kinase inhibitor. Kinases are a type of protein that are responsible for sending and receiving signals in the body. These signals help your cells do important functions, such as grow properly. Tabrecta blocks a certain type of kinase in the body called mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). In some cancers, MET has a mutation that causes cancer cells to grow out of control. Tabrecta blocks the signals sent by MET or its mutated form and can help stop cancer cells from growing and multiplying. This may make tumors shrink in size.

How is Tabrecta supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Tabrecta

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 150 mg oral tablets
  • 200 mg oral tablets

How should I store Tabrecta?

Tabrecta 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 transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Keep Tabrecta in its original bottle. The bottle has a small pouch (desiccant) inside that helps keep the medicine dry. Do not eat the desiccant or remove it from the bottle. Throw away any Tabrecta left in the bottle after six weeks of opening it.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Tabrecta?

The most common side effects of Tabrecta are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Fluid retention (edema)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Tiredness and weakness
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea) 
  • Cough
  • Decreased appetite

There may be other side effects of Tabrecta 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 Tabrecta?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Tabrecta may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Tabrecta 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, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Lung Inflammation. Tabrecta can cause inflammation in your lungs, also called interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis. This can be serious or even life-threatening. Get emergency help if you have trouble breathing. Call your health care provider right away if you have any new or worsening cough, fever, or shortness of breath.

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Tabrecta. Keep all appointments for your blood tests. 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
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Inflammation of the Pancreas (Pancreatitis). Tabrecta may cause inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Keep all appointments for your blood tests. Stop taking Tabrecta and call your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis, including vomiting or severe pain in the upper part of your belly that travels to your back.

Sensitivity to Sunlight. Your skin may be very sensitive to light from the sun and devices that give off similar light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds, while you are taking Tabrecta. This is called photosensitivity. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in the sunlight. Exposure to this kind of light, even for a short time, can cause your skin to be severely sunburned, blistered, or swollen. Tell your health care provider right away if any of these happen.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not take Tabrecta?

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

  • Capmatinib
  • Tabrecta
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

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

What should I know about Tabrecta before taking it?

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

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

Keep Tabrecta out of the reach of children.

Tabrecta should be swallowed whole. Do not break, crush, or chew this medicine.

If you can get a partner pregnant, use effective birth control while you take Tabrecta and for one week after your last dose.

What should I tell my health care provider before taking Tabrecta?

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 determine if Tabrecta 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.

  • Lung or breathing problems other than lung cancer
  • Liver problems
  • Pancreas problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Tabrecta may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Tabrecta, 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. Tabrecta can cause harm to a fetus. Your health care provider will likely check to make sure that you are not pregnant before starting this medicine. Tell your health care provider right away if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. If you can become pregnant, you should use effective birth control while taking Tabrecta and for one week after your last dose. Ask your health care provider about birth control options.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Tabrecta passes into breast milk. Do not breastfeed while you are taking Tabrecta and for one week after your last dose. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Tabrecta?

For more information about Tabrecta, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.tabrecta.com or call them at 844-638-5864.

Interactions

Does Tabrecta interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Tabrecta and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Tabrecta, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight cancer. Also, the risk of tiredness may increase if you drink alcohol while taking Tabrecta.

Does Tabrecta 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 Tabrecta.

  • Itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • Rosuvastatin (Crestor), which is a medicine to lower cholesterol

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Tabrecta, 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 Tabrecta. 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 take too much Tabrecta?

If you or someone else has taken too much Tabrecta, 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 Tabrecta?

If you miss a dose or vomit after taking a dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose when you would normally take it. Do not take double or extra doses.