What is a Generic Drug?
A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, consumption method, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug and works in the same way and in the same amount of time in the body.
The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is that generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (eg. different shape or color), as trademarks laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.
Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to develop a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name and sell it at a substantial discount.
Mektovi (Binimetinib)
Prescription Required
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Product Details
Description
Your oncologist (cancer doctor) may prescribe Mektovi for managing unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation. Metastatic melanoma is a type of skin cancer. Mektovi is only for use in combination with encorafenib.
Functioning as a reversible inhibitor of mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (MEK1) and MEK2 activity, Mektovi curbs the growth of cancer cells by preventing the action of these proteins.
Fact Table
Formula
C17H15BrF2N4O3
License
US FDA, EMA
Bioavailability
~50%
Legal status
Prescription only (?)
Chemical Name
(3S)-3-{[(2S)-2-(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)-2-(3,3-difluorocyclobutyl)acetyl]amino}-3-methylbutanoic acid
Elimination half-life
3.5 hours
Dosage (Strength)
15 mg tablets
Pregnancy
Not recommended
Brands
Mektovi
Protein binding
97%
PubChem CID
135565536
MedlinePlus
a618014
ChEBI
134723
ATC code
L01XE56
DrugBank
DB11995
KEGG
D10835
Routes of administration
Oral
Directions
The recommended dosage entails taking 45 mg orally twice daily in conjunction with encorafenib. Mektovi can be ingested with or without food.
Patients with a history of liver disease should inform their doctor, as a dosage adjustment to 30 mg twice daily may be necessary.
It is imperative not to cease or alter the Mektovi dosage without consulting your doctor.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in Mektovi is binimetinib.
Interactions
There are no significant drug-drug interactions between Mektovi and other medications.
Cautions
Patients commencing treatment with a history of heart disease should inform their doctor. Heart function assessments are advisable before starting treatment, after one month, and subsequently every 2-3 months.
It is crucial to disclose any history of clotting disorders. Caution is warranted for individuals with a history of eye, lung, liver, musculoskeletal, or bleeding disorders.
Pregnant or individuals planning on becoming pregnant should not take Mektovi.
Side Effects
Common adverse reactions include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bleeding from anus
- Bleeding hemorrhoids
- Cancer
- Cardiomyopathy
- Central serous chorioretinopathy
- Cough (Non-small cell lung cancer)
- Diarrhea
- Dyspnea (Non-small cell lung cancer)
- Fatigue
- Hemothorax
- Hematochezia
- Hemorrhage
- Intracranial hemorrhage, Fatal
- Left ventricular cardiac dysfunction
- Musculoskeletal pain (Non-small cell lung cancer)
- Nausea
- Papilloma (Non-small cell lung cancer)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Rectal hemorrhage
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (Non-small cell lung cancer)
- Thrombosis of retinal vein
- Uveitis
- Vomiting
- Venous thromboembolism
References
- Mektovi [package insert]. Boulder, CO: Array BioPharma; June 2018.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.Product Code : 14577
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