General MedicinePrescription OnlyPregnancy Cat. Not classifiedFDA Yes
Mektovi
BINIMETINIB
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE MEKTOVI is a kinase inhibitor indicated: • in combination with encorafenib, for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test. ( 1.1 , 2.1 ) • in combination with encorafenib, for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test. ( 1.2 , 2.1 ) 1.1 BRAF V600E or V600K Mutation-Positiv...
Medically reviewed by MedCentralHub Medical Review Board, Licensed Pharmacists & Physicians ·
Brand names:MEKTOVI
Quick Reference
Medicine ClassGeneral Medicine
FDA ApprovedYes
PregnancyCategory Not classified
Quick Facts
- Active ingredient
- BINIMETINIB
- Medicine class
- General Medicine
- Brand names
- MEKTOVI
- Availability
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Pregnancy category
- Not classified
- Half-life
- half-life (t 1/2 ) of binimetinib is 3
- FDA approved
- Yes
What Is Mektovi?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE MEKTOVI is a kinase inhibitor indicated: • in combination with encorafenib, for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test. ( 1.1 , 2.1 ) • in combination with encorafenib, for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test. ( 1.2 , 2.1 ) 1.1 BRAF V600E or V600K Mutation-Positiv...
Mektovi (BINIMETINIB) belongs to the General Medicine class of medications. It was first approved by the FDA in Yes. This medication requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Key Safety Information
- •Always follow the dose recommended by your healthcare professional. Taking more than prescribed increases the risk of side effects including serious complications.
- •Seek emergency care if you experience signs of an allergic reaction — hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or rash. Stop the medication and call your doctor immediately.
- •Some medications can increase the risk of cardiovascular events. Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, a history of heart attack or stroke, or any pre-existing health condition.
- •Avoid or limit alcohol while taking Mektovi. Do not drink alcohol without first discussing it with your healthcare provider as it may increase adverse effects.
- •Take Mektovi with food or a full glass of water if stomach upset occurs. Stop use and talk to your doctor if you experience persistent stomach pain or GI symptoms.
- •Tell your doctor about all medications, supplements, and vitamins you take. Some combinations significantly increase the risk of harm.
This is a summary only. Always read the full prescribing information and consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.
Uses & Indications
Mektovi is prescribed for the following conditions. Some uses are FDA-approved indications; others may be evidence-based off-label uses. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE MEKTOVI is a kinase inhibitor indicated: • in combination with encorafenib, for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test.
( 1.1 , 2.1 ) • in combination with encorafenib, for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test.
( 1.2 , 2.1 ) 1.1 BRAF V600E or V600K Mutation-Positive Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma MEKTOVI is indicated, in combination with encorafenib, for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] .
1.2 BRAF V600E Mutation-Positive Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) MEKTOVI is indicated, in combination with encorafenib, for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test.
[see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] .
Dosage Guide
The following are general dosing guidelines only. Your actual dose should be determined by your healthcare provider based on your condition, renal/hepatic function, and other medications.
AD
Adult Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Melanoma • Confirm the presence of BRAF V600E or V600K mutation in tumor specimens prior to the initiation of MEKTOVI. ( 2.1 ) • The recommended dose is 45 mg orally twice daily in combination with encorafenib. Take MEKTOVI with or without food. ( 2.2 ) • For patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment the recommended dose is 30 mg orally twice daily. ( 2.4 , 8.6 ) NSCLC • Confirm the presence of BRAF V600E mutation in tumor or plasma specimens prior to initiating MEKTOVI. ( 2.1 ) • The recommended dose is 45 mg orally twice daily in combination with encorafenib. Take MEKTOVI with or without food. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Patient Selection BRAF V600E or V600K Mutation-Positive Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma Confirm the presence of a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation in tumor specimens prior to initiating MEKTOVI [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Information on FDA-approved tests for the detection of BRAF V600E and V600K mutations in melanoma is available at: http://
Available Forms
Available Strengths
Side Effects
Common
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: • New Primary Malignancies [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Cardiomyopathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] • Venous Thromboembolism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] • Ocular Toxicities [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] • Interstitial Lung Disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] • Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] • Rhabdomyolysis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] • Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] • Embryo-Fetal Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] • Risks Associated with Combination Treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] Melanoma: Most common adverse reactions (≥25%) for MEKTOVI, in combination with encorafenib, are fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
- ( 6.1 ) NSCLC: Most common adverse reactions (≥25%) for MEKTOVI, in combination with encorafenib, are fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, musculoskeletal pain, vomiting, abdominal pain, visual impairment, constipation, dyspnea, rash, and cough.
- ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Pfizer Inc.
- at 1-800-438-1985 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
- 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
- The data described in WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS reflect exposure of 192 patients with BRAF V600 mutation-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma to MEKTOVI 45 mg twice daily in combination with encorafenib 450 mg once daily in a randomized open-label, active-controlled trial (COLUMBUS) [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] or, for rare events, exposure of 690 patients with BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma to MEKTOVI 45 mg twice daily in combination with encorafenib once daily across multiple clinical trials (NCT03915951, NCT01909453).
- The pooled safety population described in the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS also reflect exposure of 98 patients with BRAF V600E mutation-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer to MEKTOVI 45 mg twice daily and encorafenib 450 mg once daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity in PHAROS [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ] .
Serious
- 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • New Primary Malignancies, Cutaneous and Non-cutaneous: Can occur when MEKTOVI is used in combination with encorafenib.
- Monitor patients for new malignancies prior to initiation of treatment, during treatment, and after discontinuation of treatment.
- ( 5.1 ) • Cardiomyopathy: Assess left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) before initiating treatment, after one month of treatment, then every 2 to 3 months thereafter.
- The safety of MEKTOVI has not been established in patients with LVEF below 50%.
- ( 5.2 ) • Venous Thromboembolism: Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism can occur.
Rare
Medicine Interactions
Always inform your healthcare provider and pharmacist about ALL medications you take, including prescriptions, OTC medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
MajorModerateMinor
Warnings & Contraindications
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • New Primary Malignancies, Cutaneous and Non-cutaneous: Can occur when MEKTOVI is used in combination with encorafenib. Monitor patients for new malignancies prior to initiation of treatment, during treatment, and after discontinuation of treatment. ( 5.1 ) • Cardiomyopathy: Assess left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) before initiating treatment, after one month of
How Mektovi Works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Binimetinib is a reversible inhibitor of mitogen-activated extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 (MEK1) and MEK2 activity. MEK proteins are upstream regulators of the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) pathway. In vitro, binimetinib inhibited extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in cell-free assays as well as viability and MEK-dependent phosphorylation of BRAF-mutant human melanoma cell lines. Binimetinib also inhibited in vivo ERK phosphorylation and tumor growth in BRAF-mutant murine xenograft models. Binimetinib and encorafenib target two different kinases in the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway. Compared to either drug alone, coadministration of encorafenib and binimetinib resulted in greater anti-proliferative activity in vitro in BRAF mut
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Absorption After oral administration, at least 50% of the binimetinib dose was absorbed with a median time to maximum concentration (T max ) of 1
Half-Life
half-life (t 1/2 ) of binimetinib is 3
Metabolism
Metabolism The primary metabolic pathway is glucuronidation with UGT1A1 contributing up to 61% of the binimetinib metabolism
Excretion
Excretion Following a single oral dose of 45 mg radiolabeled binimetinib in healthy subjects, 62% (32% unchanged) of the administered dose was recovered in the feces while 31% (6
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safety
Not classified
Breastfeeding
Many medications pass into breast milk in varying amounts. Before using Mektoviwhile breastfeeding, discuss the benefits and risks with your healthcare provider or pharmacist — they can weigh your dose, your infant's age, and available lactation safety data to find the safest option for you and your baby.
Storage & Handling
Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].
Frequently Asked Questions
Related on MedCentralHub
- Class hub
General Medicine alternatives
Compare all General Medicine medications — uses, side effects, and cost differences
- Detail
Mektovi dosage guide
Adult, pediatric, renal, and hepatic dosing for Mektovi
- Detail
Mektovi side effects
Complete adverse effect profile including common, serious, and rare reactions
Sources & References
- • FDA Prescribing Information — Official labeling and package insert for Mektovi
- • U.S. National Library of Medicine — MedlinePlus drug information
- • American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS) — Clinical pharmacology monograph
- • PubMed / MEDLINE — View clinical studies
Last reviewed by MedCentralHub Medical Review Board · MedCentralHub Editorial Policy
Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.