Capmatinib (Tabrecta®)

Store your medication in the original container with the label. If you want to use a pillbox, talk to your pharmacist. Keep it in a dry place at room temperature unless your provider or pharmacist tells you otherwise. Keep containers out of reach of children and pets.

If a caregiver prepares your dose for you, they should consider wearing gloves or pour the pills directly from their container into the cap, a small cup, or directly into your hand. They should avoid touching the pills. They should always wash their hands before and after giving you the medication. Pregnant or nursing people should not prepare the dose for you. Ask your provider where to return any unused medication for disposal. Do not flush down the toilet or throw in the trash. 

Some cancer medications are only available through specialty pharmacies. Your provider or pharmacist will start this process. Your insurance plan may also affect where you can get your medication.  Call your prescription plan provider to find out which specialty pharmacies are in-network.

This medication may be covered by your prescription plan. If you qualify, you may be able to get financial help through patient assistance programs (PAP). Co-pay cards may also be available to lower your out-of-pocket cost if you have commercial (not Medicare/Medicaid/Tricare) insurance. Your pharmacist, social worker, or navigator can help find resources for financial support.

These are some of the most common or most serious side effects of this medication. Talk with your provider about the side effects you are having and how they can be managed.

This medication can cause liver toxicity, or liver problems, which your provider may monitor for with blood tests called liver function tests. Symptoms may be:

• Yellowing of your skin or eyes.
• Dark or brown urine.
• Pain in your abdomen (belly).

Tell your provider if you have any of these symptoms.

Peripheral edema is swelling in your hands, arms, legs, ankles, and feet. It is caused by retention (buildup) of fluid. To help get rid of the fluid, you can elevate (lift up) the affected body part and rest it on a pillow. You may need medications to help your body get rid of the extra fluid, and you may be told to follow a low salt diet. Tell your providers if you have any new or worsening swelling.

Talk to your providers if you have nausea and/or vomiting. They can prescribe medications to help you. Making changes to your diet can also help. Avoid things that make your symptoms worse, like heavy or greasy/fatty foods and spicy or acidic foods, like tomatoes, lemons, and oranges. Try saltines or ginger ale to help your symptoms.  

Call your providers if you cannot keep fluids down for more than 12 hours or if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

You may have joint or muscle pain/aches and headaches while taking this medication. Your provider can recommend medications and other ways to help relieve your pain.

Fatigue can cause exhaustion, feeling worn out and that your body is "heavy" and hard to move, or being unable to focus. It is common when you have cancer, and it is not the same as feeling tired. You may need to adjust your schedule to manage fatigue. Plan times to rest during the day and save your energy for more important activities. Exercise can help lessen fatigue. Talk to your providers about ways to deal with this side effect.

Nutrition is an important part of your care. Cancer treatment can affect your appetite and make it hard to eat. Ask your provider about nutrition counseling services. Some tips you can follow are:

• Try to eat five or six small meals or snacks during the day, instead of 3 larger meals.
• Nutritional supplements may help if you are not eating enough.
• You may have a metallic taste or find that food has no taste. You may dislike foods or beverages that you liked before cancer treatment. These symptoms can last for months or longer after treatment ends.
• Avoid any food that you think smells or tastes bad. If red meat is a problem, eat chicken, turkey, eggs, dairy products, and fish without a strong smell. Sometimes cold food has less of an odor.
• Add extra flavor to meat or fish by marinating it in sweet juices, sweet and sour sauce, or dressing.
• Use seasonings like basil, oregano, or rosemary to add flavor.

This medication may cause pulmonary fibrosis. This is when your lung tissue gets thicker, causing scarring and stiffening. This is more likely to happen if you had high doses of the medication. Symptoms can be:

• Shortness of breath.
• Cough, wheezing, or trouble breathing.

These problems can happen months to years after treatment ends. Call your provider right away if you have any of these symptoms.

This medication can affect your pancreas. Call your provider if you have any symptoms of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), such as:

• Bloating,
• Indigestion.
• Nausea and/or vomiting.
• Fatty stools (that are bulky, pale, oily, and sometimes float).
• Not feeling hungry (loss of appetite).
• Sweating.
• Abdominal (belly) pain or swelling.
• Weight loss.

Your provider may monitor certain blood levels with labs during and after treatment.