Vemurafenib (Zelboraf®)

  • Vemurafenib is an oral medicine used to treat a type of skin cancer called melanoma. Vemurafenib is a “BRAF inhibitor.” Mutations in the BRAF protein drive abnormal cell growth in ~50% of melanomas. Vemurafenib works by inhibiting the BRAF protein and slowing tumor cell growth.

Important Precautions

  • Women should not become pregnant or breastfeed while taking vemurafenib. Vemurafenib may be harmful to the unborn child. Two forms of effective contraception must be used while taking vemurafenib
  • If sexually active with a partner that is pregnant or who may become pregnant during and for several weeks after treatment, two forms of contraception must be used (a condom and another effective form of birth control)

Potential Drug-Drug Interactions

Some examples of products that interact with vemurafenib include:

  • Grapefruit or grapefruit juice
  • Some anti-infectives, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro®), levofloxacin (Levaquin®), voriconazole (Vfend®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), rifampin (Rifadin®) and rifapentine (Priftin®)
  • Antiviral medicines like indinavir (Crixivan®) and ritonavir (Norvir®)
  • Certain anti-seizure medicines, including carbamazepine (Tegretol®), phenobarbital (Luminal®), and phenytoin (Dilantin®)
  • Medications for heart rhythm, such as amiodarone (Cordarone®) and dronedarone (Multaq®)
  • Medications for high cholesterol, such as simvastatin (Zocor®), atorvastatin (Lipitor®), and lovastatin (Mevacor®)
  • Blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin®), dabigatran (Pradaxa®), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)
  • Some medications for mood, including nefazodone (Serzone®), aripiprazole (Abilify®), and St. John’s Wort

Side Effect Summary

Below are the most common side effects:

  • Skin rash and photosensitivity
  • Hand-foot syndrome
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Joint pain
  • Edema

Below are some less common side effects of vemurafenib:

  • Ocular toxicity
  • QT prolongation
  • New skin cancers including cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, keratoacanthomas, and melanoma

Copyright 2017 Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium, All rights reserved. V.12-14 MOQC-7.31.2018

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