Capmatinib
About Capmatinib
Capmatinib is a prescription medication used to treat adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer whose tumours have an abnormal gene known as a MET exon 14 skipping mutation. It is specifically designed to target and block the signals that tell these cancer cells to grow and multiply.
For the best results, it is crucial to take this medicine consistently at regular intervals, exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. You can take it either with or without food. Alongside this treatment, staying well-hydrated and protecting your skin from the sun can help you manage common side effects.
While taking it, you may experience mild side effects like swelling in your limbs, nausea, or feeling unusually tired. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of lung inflammation, such as a new or worsening cough or trouble breathing, or signs of liver damage like yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Do not take this if you have a known allergy to this medicine or any of its ingredients. Before starting, tell your doctor if you have a history of lung or breathing problems, liver disease, or if you are planning to become pregnant, as this medicine can cause harm to an unborn baby.
Certain medicines, including some herbal supplements and over-the-counter drugs, can affect how this medication works in your body or increase the risk of side effects. It is also important to avoid alcohol and smoking, as they can put additional stress on your liver and lungs. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, consult your doctor to discuss the risks and benefits of this treatment.
Uses of Capmatinib
Medicinal Benefits
It helps control the progression of advanced lung cancer, allowing patients to experience better physical comfort and daily function. By targeting the root genetic cause of tumour growth, it offers several key benefits:
- Slowing Tumour Growth: It helps shrink existing lung tumours or stop them from growing and spreading further.
- Relief from Lung Symptoms: By keeping the tumour in check, it can help reduce cancer-related chest pain, coughing, and breathing difficulties, making it easier to breathe.
- Targeted Action: Unlike traditional chemotherapy, it specifically targets the abnormal proteins causing the cancer, which can mean fewer general body side effects for some patients.
Directions for Use
- Capmatinib can be taken with or without food.
- Take Capmatinib twice daily at the same time each day for best results, or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow Capmatinib as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Capmatinib
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet (fluid retention)
- Nausea, vomiting, or a mild upset stomach
- Feeling very tired, weak, or having low energy
- Loss of appetite or changes in taste
- Constipation or diarrhea
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- New or worsening breathing problems, shortness of breath, cough, or fever (signs of lung inflammation)
- Yellowing of your eyes or skin, dark urine, or severe pain on the right side of your stomach (signs of liver damage)
- Severe skin reaction, redness, pain, or peeling skin
- Extreme sensitivity to sunlight or severe sunburn
- Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the hands or feet (sign of Peripheral neuropathy)
- Swelling of the face or eyelids (sign of facial/periorbital oedema)
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Attend all follow-up tests: Complete all scheduled blood tests so your doctor can monitor your liver function and check for any side effects.
- Check before taking other medicines: Do not start any new prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, herbal products, or vitamins without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
- Use effective contraception: Use effective birth control during treatment and for at least one week after your final dose to help prevent pregnancy.
- Inform your healthcare providers: Tell any doctor or dentist treating you that you are taking this medicine before undergoing procedures or starting new treatments.
- Avoid driving if affected: If you experience dizziness or extreme tiredness, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Dose adjustments: Do not change or stop your medicine on your own. If you develop troublesome side effects, your doctor may reduce the dose, temporarily stop treatment, or discontinue it if necessary.
Drug Interactions
- Strong CYP3A inhibitors (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, or ritonavir): May increase the levels of this medicine in your body, raising the risk of side effects.
- Strong CYP3A inducers (such as rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, or St. John's wort): May reduce the levels of this medicine, making it less effective.
- P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrate medicines (such as digoxin or dabigatran): It may increase the levels of these medicines, increasing the risk of side effects. Your doctor may monitor you or adjust your treatment if needed.
- Medicines that prolong the QT interval (such as amiodarone, sotalol, or certain antibiotics like moxifloxacin): Using these medicines together may increase the risk of heart rhythm problems. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorThere is limited information on how alcohol consumption affects Capmatinib. Please discuss with your doctor if you have concerns.
Pregnancy
unsafeCapmatinib is not recommended for use during pregnancy, as it may harm an unborn baby. It is better to use effective birth control methods to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine or for at least 6 months after taking the last dose of Capmatinib.
Breast Feeding
unsafeCapmatinib should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers, as it passes into breast milk and may pose a potential risk to the infant
Driving
cautionIt is not known if Capmatinib affects your driving ability. Drive only if you are fully alert and physically stable.
Liver
cautionCapmatinib should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment/disease.
Kidney
cautionIf prescribed by a doctor, Capmatinib is safe for patients with mild kidney disease. However, it should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease, as there are limited studies on this group.
Children
consult your doctorThere is no information on the safety of Capmatinib in children below 12 years. If you have any concerns regarding the use of Capmatinib for children, please consult a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support kidney health and help your body manage swelling or fluid retention.
- Protect Your Skin: This medicine makes your skin highly sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, protective clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat whenever you are outdoors.
- Manage Appetite Loss: If you struggle with nausea or a poor appetite, try eating smaller, more frequent meals rather than three large ones to help maintain your strength.
- Avoid Certain Fruits: Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while on this medication, as they can interfere with how your body processes the medicine.
Special Advise
- Regular monitoring of blood cell count and liver function is required during treatment with Capmatinib.
- While taking Capmatinib, you may become more sensitive to sunlight. Therefore, it is important to limit your exposure to sunlight and wear sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): It is a category of lung cancer that occurs when cells forming the lining of the lung begin to grow uncontrollably. It includes types such as squamous cell carcinoma (a cancer that originates in the flat cells of the skin's outermost layer), adenocarcinoma (a cancer that develops in glandular tissue, which produces mucus and other fluids), and large cell carcinoma (a cancer consisting of large, irregularly shaped cells). The risk factors for lung cancer include smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, previous radiation treatment, exposure to radon gas, harmful chemicals such as asbestos or arsenic, and a family history of lung cancer. If lung cancer spreads to other areas of the body (metastatic), it can cause symptoms such as bone pain, loss of appetite, headaches, unintentional weight loss, and swelling in the face or neck.
FAQs
Capmatinib is a targeted cancer medicine used to treat advanced or non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to nearby tissues or other parts of the body.
Capmatinib contains 'Capmatinib,' which belongs to a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein (the mesenchymal-epithelial transition [MET] gene) that helps cancer cells in the lungs grow and multiply, thereby preventing cancer from spreading.
Common side effects of Capmatinib include nausea, vomiting, coughing, difficulty breathing, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, muscle or bone pain, swelling in the hands or feet, or changes in certain blood tests. Most of these side effects are temporary and do not need medical attention. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
There is limited information on the safety and effectiveness of Capmatinib in children. Therefore, consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding its use for this age group.
No, Capmatinib is not recommended for pregnant women or those planning pregnancy, as it may harm an unborn baby. If you have any concerns, it is advisable to consult your doctor.
Since Capmatinib may harm an unborn baby, it is not recommended to become pregnant during treatment with Capmatinib. Use effective birth control while taking Capmatinib and for at least one month after your final dose. If you plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor for further guidance.
Yes, you can take it with or without food. Try to be consistent with how you take it each day. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need advice on how to establish a routine.
If you vomit after taking your dose, do not take an extra tablet to replace it. Simply wait and take your next scheduled dose at your regular time. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if vomiting persists.
Your doctor will order regular blood tests to monitor your liver function and ensure the medication is not causing liver damage. These tests are essential for your safety during treatment. Talk to your doctor.
This medicine can make your skin highly sensitive to sunlight, increasing your risk of severe sunburn. Always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and avoid prolonged sun exposure. Talk to your doctor if you develop a severe reaction.
No, you should always swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush, chew, split, or break them, as this can affect how the medicine is absorbed into your body. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have trouble swallowing tablets.
It is highly recommended to limit or avoid alcohol during your treatment, as both alcohol and this medicine can stress your liver and increase the risk of liver damage. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Mild to moderate swelling in the limbs is a common side effect of this medicine. However, you should inform your healthcare provider right away so they can evaluate the swelling and recommend safe management strategies. Talk to your doctor.
No. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine and for the period recommended by your doctor after your last dose, as it may harm your baby.
