TAFINLAR^® (dabrafenib)/MEKINIST^® (Trametinib) ACTION PLAN

The content in this action plan is intended to aid you in educating your patient with melanoma about taking Tafinlar/Mekinist. In addition, the customizable content provides key written information for patients so that they can recognize side effects at an early stage and seek appropriate management. Below is a brief description of the different pages available to you and how to use them. Whether you print this whole action plan or just certain sections, we trust that you will find this resource from the MNI a helpful companion to our healthcare provider materials.

Pages/Sections

You can choose to print whichever pages/sections you would like. You also have the option of reading the annotations for each page before printing or just selecting the specific pages by title below, and downloading.

You can also download all of the pages as a multi-page pdf by clicking here.

ACTION PLAN COVER

This is a cover page for the oncology team member to fill out for the patient. It contains the patient’s name, the date, a list of the side effects discussed, and key points. It also contains Novartis-specific resources. With this tool, you can create customized notes to guide your patients on their treatment journey.

Download The ACTION PLAN COVER PAGE

TAKING THE MEDICATION

This page provides specific recommendations for taking Tafinlar/Mekinist and includes a write-in spot where you can document the dosage for your patient. Specific discussion points are included about adherence aids and dosage and treatment diary recommendations. This page also contains a review of signs/symptoms of an allergic reaction as well as a review of common and important side effects associated with Tafinlar/Mekinist. It explains that you may provide pages on specific side effects that you are concerned about—thus creating customized content for each patient.

Download The TAKING THE MEDICATION PAGE

FEVER, WITH OR WITHOUT CHILLS

This page discusses fever and is the first of the detailed pages on side effects associated with Tafinlar/Mekinist. It provides a customizable definition of fever (based on temperature breakpoints in your practice) and instructs the patient on what to report to your team. The Red Flags section describes symptoms that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Managing Your Side Effects provides specific self-management strategies patients can implement to alleviate fever and chills at home.

Download The FEVER, WITH OR WITHOUT CHILLS PAGE

SKIN CHANGES

This page discusses skin changes that can happen with BRAF/MEK inhibitors, including rash, new lesions, warts, photosensitivity, and new skin cancers. The Red Flags section describes skin symptoms that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Managing Your Side Effects provides specific steps patients can take to prevent skin toxicities as well as self-management strategies.

Download The SKIN CHANGES PAGE

EYE AND VISION PROBLEMS

This page discusses ocular problems that can occur with BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Although not common, ocular issues are important to address because some can lead to blindness. This page recommends that patients report any eye or vision changes quickly and reinforces the importance of getting a baseline eye examination. The Red Flags section describes symptoms that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Managing Your Side Effects provides self-management strategies for eye/vision problems.

Download The EYE AND VISION PROBLEMS PAGE

POTENTIAL HEART PROBLEMS

This page discusses cardiac problems that can occur with BRAF/MEK inhibitors. Specific information related to heart failure or arrhythmia are discussed. The Red Flags section describes symptoms that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Managing Your Side Effects provides steps patients can take to protect the heart.

Download The POTENTIAL HEART PROBLEMS PAGE

JOINT PAIN, SWELLING, OR STIFFNESS

This page discusses joint issues that can occur with BRAF/MEK inhibitors. The Red Flags section describes symptoms that require immediate care from your office or the Emergency Department. The section Managing Your Side Effects provides specific recommendations for over-the-counter agents that the patient could take with the approval of your office as well as other self-management strategies.

Download The JOINT PAIN, SWELLING, OR STIFFNESS PAGE

OTHER SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR

This section provides a list of additional side effects that have been associated with Tafinlar/Mekinist. You can customize this page by checking off specific side effects you are concerned about, given the patient’s comorbidities, prior treatments, or other issues. The side effects are listed in alphabetical order and again, there are instructions about red flag symptoms that prompt immediate action.

Download The OTHER SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR PAGE 1 OF 2

Download The OTHER SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR PAGE 2 OF 2

RESOURCES

This page provides specific phone and internet resources provided by Novartis for patients taking Tafinlar/Mekinist. It also includes additional targeted therapy resources from AIM at Melanoma Foundation and the American Cancer Society.

Download The RESOURCES PAGE

DOSING CALENDAR

This is a dosing calendar for Tafinlar/Mekinist, which patients can use to track their dose and document when and how they have taken their medication over the course of a month. The calendar also contains instructions about what to do if the patient forgets to take a dose of medication.

Download The DOSING CALENDAR PAGE

TAFINLAR® (dabrafenib)/MEKINIST® (Trametinib) ACTION PLAN