› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Fever with combo drug – Mekinist/Tafinlar??
- This topic has 31 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 2 months ago by
Karbear.
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- April 11, 2014 at 12:54 am
Anyone experienced fever while taking Mekinist/Tafinlar? My sisters fever spiked to 102.6 and wouldn't come down – called doc said it is a side effect of the chemo and a possible sign she won't be able to tolerate this chemo. Had me give her decadron (steroid) for the fever. So far it is bringing her temp down. Doc told us to not give the evening chemo dose – we see her oncologist on Friday. Just wondered if anyone else has experienced this – just so afraid the fever is from something more!!??
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- April 11, 2014 at 2:35 am
My husband Larry has gone through 2 dosage reductions with this combo because of high fevers. He is taking a break to recover from last episode and will hopefully resume treatment again att a reduced dose in a few weeks. His tumors were responding to treatment, he is just having a really hard tolerating these drugs. Good luck to your sister.
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- April 11, 2014 at 2:35 am
My husband Larry has gone through 2 dosage reductions with this combo because of high fevers. He is taking a break to recover from last episode and will hopefully resume treatment again att a reduced dose in a few weeks. His tumors were responding to treatment, he is just having a really hard tolerating these drugs. Good luck to your sister.
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- April 11, 2014 at 2:35 am
My husband Larry has gone through 2 dosage reductions with this combo because of high fevers. He is taking a break to recover from last episode and will hopefully resume treatment again att a reduced dose in a few weeks. His tumors were responding to treatment, he is just having a really hard tolerating these drugs. Good luck to your sister.
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- December 18, 2016 at 12:49 am
My Dad has had 3 eipsodes of fevers with this combo (tafinlar/mekinist). He is responding to treatment, but, the meds come with horrible fevers which have sent him to the ER causing chest pain he shakes so bad. He just restarted at a second dosage reduction yesterday and the fevers have already returned. Was wondering what other treatments are available if he is unable to tolerate the Tafinlar/mekinist combo and if it was effective.
Thank You -
- January 19, 2017 at 4:41 pm
I too have had a problem with debilitating fevers with this combo. When they get bad my oncologist has me take a break then start back at a reduced dose and gradually work my way back up. Just started back on meds again yesterday after I informed him it was break time. It's a roller coaster ride but it does seem to be working. Have been on combo for a year with NED as of last month. I hope your Dad gets some relief and can continue to fight this beast!!
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- January 19, 2017 at 4:41 pm
I too have had a problem with debilitating fevers with this combo. When they get bad my oncologist has me take a break then start back at a reduced dose and gradually work my way back up. Just started back on meds again yesterday after I informed him it was break time. It's a roller coaster ride but it does seem to be working. Have been on combo for a year with NED as of last month. I hope your Dad gets some relief and can continue to fight this beast!!
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- January 19, 2017 at 4:41 pm
I too have had a problem with debilitating fevers with this combo. When they get bad my oncologist has me take a break then start back at a reduced dose and gradually work my way back up. Just started back on meds again yesterday after I informed him it was break time. It's a roller coaster ride but it does seem to be working. Have been on combo for a year with NED as of last month. I hope your Dad gets some relief and can continue to fight this beast!!
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- December 18, 2016 at 12:49 am
My Dad has had 3 eipsodes of fevers with this combo (tafinlar/mekinist). He is responding to treatment, but, the meds come with horrible fevers which have sent him to the ER causing chest pain he shakes so bad. He just restarted at a second dosage reduction yesterday and the fevers have already returned. Was wondering what other treatments are available if he is unable to tolerate the Tafinlar/mekinist combo and if it was effective.
Thank You -
- December 18, 2016 at 12:49 am
My Dad has had 3 eipsodes of fevers with this combo (tafinlar/mekinist). He is responding to treatment, but, the meds come with horrible fevers which have sent him to the ER causing chest pain he shakes so bad. He just restarted at a second dosage reduction yesterday and the fevers have already returned. Was wondering what other treatments are available if he is unable to tolerate the Tafinlar/mekinist combo and if it was effective.
Thank You
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- April 11, 2014 at 8:28 am
I started with Tafinlar without Mekinist 2 months ago and started Mekinist one week later (it took a while as I can only get it via compassionate use in Europe).
I had high fevers only during the first day. They gave me some medication and the fever was gone the next day. Nevertheless they reduced the dose to a third and then gradually increased it again. No problems anymore and no other side effects either.
So this does not forcibly mean that she does not tolerate the combo. What I was told, however, is that this means that obviously she responds to it. I hope for her that the side effects will be a matter of the past soon and that she can then benefit from it.
Btw.Mekinist/Tafinlar are not a chemo!
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- April 11, 2014 at 8:28 am
I started with Tafinlar without Mekinist 2 months ago and started Mekinist one week later (it took a while as I can only get it via compassionate use in Europe).
I had high fevers only during the first day. They gave me some medication and the fever was gone the next day. Nevertheless they reduced the dose to a third and then gradually increased it again. No problems anymore and no other side effects either.
So this does not forcibly mean that she does not tolerate the combo. What I was told, however, is that this means that obviously she responds to it. I hope for her that the side effects will be a matter of the past soon and that she can then benefit from it.
Btw.Mekinist/Tafinlar are not a chemo!
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- April 11, 2014 at 8:28 am
I started with Tafinlar without Mekinist 2 months ago and started Mekinist one week later (it took a while as I can only get it via compassionate use in Europe).
I had high fevers only during the first day. They gave me some medication and the fever was gone the next day. Nevertheless they reduced the dose to a third and then gradually increased it again. No problems anymore and no other side effects either.
So this does not forcibly mean that she does not tolerate the combo. What I was told, however, is that this means that obviously she responds to it. I hope for her that the side effects will be a matter of the past soon and that she can then benefit from it.
Btw.Mekinist/Tafinlar are not a chemo!
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- April 11, 2014 at 9:02 am
I have been on Tafinlar for 17 months now and introduced Mekinist about 8 months ago. All the time that I was on Tafinlar alone I did not experience any fever/chills side effects. That all changed once Mekinist was introduced. Within 5 weeks of starting Mekinist, I had my first episode and have experienced many more since. In some cases, an underlying infection eg lung was identified as the trigger for the fever/chills side effects and once this infection was treated, the fevers stopped. On other occassions when infection was not detected, treatment with steroids such as prednisilone for a period has done the job. The drug hasnt been easy to tolerate but at the moment is proving effective in controlling many mets (inc brain) – for that reason and due to the lack of other options, I am determined to stick with it as long as possible. Dont let your doc dismiss the treatment as intolerable until you have explored all options to control the side effects – this drug could work very well for you given time.
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- April 11, 2014 at 9:02 am
I have been on Tafinlar for 17 months now and introduced Mekinist about 8 months ago. All the time that I was on Tafinlar alone I did not experience any fever/chills side effects. That all changed once Mekinist was introduced. Within 5 weeks of starting Mekinist, I had my first episode and have experienced many more since. In some cases, an underlying infection eg lung was identified as the trigger for the fever/chills side effects and once this infection was treated, the fevers stopped. On other occassions when infection was not detected, treatment with steroids such as prednisilone for a period has done the job. The drug hasnt been easy to tolerate but at the moment is proving effective in controlling many mets (inc brain) – for that reason and due to the lack of other options, I am determined to stick with it as long as possible. Dont let your doc dismiss the treatment as intolerable until you have explored all options to control the side effects – this drug could work very well for you given time.
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- April 11, 2014 at 9:02 am
I have been on Tafinlar for 17 months now and introduced Mekinist about 8 months ago. All the time that I was on Tafinlar alone I did not experience any fever/chills side effects. That all changed once Mekinist was introduced. Within 5 weeks of starting Mekinist, I had my first episode and have experienced many more since. In some cases, an underlying infection eg lung was identified as the trigger for the fever/chills side effects and once this infection was treated, the fevers stopped. On other occassions when infection was not detected, treatment with steroids such as prednisilone for a period has done the job. The drug hasnt been easy to tolerate but at the moment is proving effective in controlling many mets (inc brain) – for that reason and due to the lack of other options, I am determined to stick with it as long as possible. Dont let your doc dismiss the treatment as intolerable until you have explored all options to control the side effects – this drug could work very well for you given time.
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- April 12, 2014 at 2:02 am
It has been over two years on this combo since I had the fever or anything else. I have taken both Taf and Mek since 2010. Same with the long term cohorts I know…just some fatigue. So hang in there. "Intolerable" is an Ace bandage so stretch it your direction. I find the Reaper intolerable.
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- April 12, 2014 at 2:02 am
It has been over two years on this combo since I had the fever or anything else. I have taken both Taf and Mek since 2010. Same with the long term cohorts I know…just some fatigue. So hang in there. "Intolerable" is an Ace bandage so stretch it your direction. I find the Reaper intolerable.
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- April 12, 2014 at 2:02 am
It has been over two years on this combo since I had the fever or anything else. I have taken both Taf and Mek since 2010. Same with the long term cohorts I know…just some fatigue. So hang in there. "Intolerable" is an Ace bandage so stretch it your direction. I find the Reaper intolerable.
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- April 14, 2014 at 9:45 pm
Hey Pennie Jo (great name by the way!) I've been on this combo for almost 5 months now and only stopped getting fevers about a month ago… And oh gosh! Were they not fun! I would get fevers and chills every 3-4 weeks and my specialist would take me off the dabrafenib until they went away. But we stuck with the original dose and the combo is working amazingly well for me. We stopped the fevers with a low dose corticosteroid – 10mg prednisolone. It only took a week to kick in and I almost feel like myself again which is lovely.
So in answer to your question, it is very likely to be the combo causing the fevers and I'd recommend talking to your doctor about the steroid before trying dose reduction. Also, don't be frightened if the doctor takes your sister off one of the drugs for a few days… It still worked for me!
I have all my fingers and toes crossed for your sister… Be strong and never ever lose hope!
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- April 14, 2014 at 9:45 pm
Hey Pennie Jo (great name by the way!) I've been on this combo for almost 5 months now and only stopped getting fevers about a month ago… And oh gosh! Were they not fun! I would get fevers and chills every 3-4 weeks and my specialist would take me off the dabrafenib until they went away. But we stuck with the original dose and the combo is working amazingly well for me. We stopped the fevers with a low dose corticosteroid – 10mg prednisolone. It only took a week to kick in and I almost feel like myself again which is lovely.
So in answer to your question, it is very likely to be the combo causing the fevers and I'd recommend talking to your doctor about the steroid before trying dose reduction. Also, don't be frightened if the doctor takes your sister off one of the drugs for a few days… It still worked for me!
I have all my fingers and toes crossed for your sister… Be strong and never ever lose hope!
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- May 25, 2015 at 8:08 pm
I've been on Mekinist/Tafinlar for 17 months and it worked great to put down my brain mets in 4 wks on 1x Mekinist/day & 4x 150 mg Tafinlar/day. It did come with those awful chills, often with incapacitating shakes and fever as high as 103 F. I reduced Tafinlar dosage by 25% after 8 months and chills/fever severity reduced but still hit every couple weeks for a couple days at a time. I reduced Tafinlar by 50% after that which again reduced chills/fever but still severe. Through my own experiments, I found that two things really helped:
1) As soon as you feel chills coming on, take 2 Tylenol and 2 Benadryl. If taken within 30 minutes of first feeling the chills it will reduce severity and length.
2) Stay hydrated. As long as I drank a lot of water the chills and fever were greatly reduced. I drank electrolyte water but regular water would probably work as well.
I hope this works for you. As Kate said, never lose hope.
CD–Santa Rosa CA
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- May 25, 2015 at 8:08 pm
I've been on Mekinist/Tafinlar for 17 months and it worked great to put down my brain mets in 4 wks on 1x Mekinist/day & 4x 150 mg Tafinlar/day. It did come with those awful chills, often with incapacitating shakes and fever as high as 103 F. I reduced Tafinlar dosage by 25% after 8 months and chills/fever severity reduced but still hit every couple weeks for a couple days at a time. I reduced Tafinlar by 50% after that which again reduced chills/fever but still severe. Through my own experiments, I found that two things really helped:
1) As soon as you feel chills coming on, take 2 Tylenol and 2 Benadryl. If taken within 30 minutes of first feeling the chills it will reduce severity and length.
2) Stay hydrated. As long as I drank a lot of water the chills and fever were greatly reduced. I drank electrolyte water but regular water would probably work as well.
I hope this works for you. As Kate said, never lose hope.
CD–Santa Rosa CA
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- May 25, 2015 at 8:08 pm
I've been on Mekinist/Tafinlar for 17 months and it worked great to put down my brain mets in 4 wks on 1x Mekinist/day & 4x 150 mg Tafinlar/day. It did come with those awful chills, often with incapacitating shakes and fever as high as 103 F. I reduced Tafinlar dosage by 25% after 8 months and chills/fever severity reduced but still hit every couple weeks for a couple days at a time. I reduced Tafinlar by 50% after that which again reduced chills/fever but still severe. Through my own experiments, I found that two things really helped:
1) As soon as you feel chills coming on, take 2 Tylenol and 2 Benadryl. If taken within 30 minutes of first feeling the chills it will reduce severity and length.
2) Stay hydrated. As long as I drank a lot of water the chills and fever were greatly reduced. I drank electrolyte water but regular water would probably work as well.
I hope this works for you. As Kate said, never lose hope.
CD–Santa Rosa CA
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- April 14, 2014 at 9:45 pm
Hey Pennie Jo (great name by the way!) I've been on this combo for almost 5 months now and only stopped getting fevers about a month ago… And oh gosh! Were they not fun! I would get fevers and chills every 3-4 weeks and my specialist would take me off the dabrafenib until they went away. But we stuck with the original dose and the combo is working amazingly well for me. We stopped the fevers with a low dose corticosteroid – 10mg prednisolone. It only took a week to kick in and I almost feel like myself again which is lovely.
So in answer to your question, it is very likely to be the combo causing the fevers and I'd recommend talking to your doctor about the steroid before trying dose reduction. Also, don't be frightened if the doctor takes your sister off one of the drugs for a few days… It still worked for me!
I have all my fingers and toes crossed for your sister… Be strong and never ever lose hope!
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- September 12, 2015 at 7:50 pm
I'll chime in with my experience. I've been on the Tafinlar/Mekinist combo since early 2015. Initially at 300mg/2mg. After a few months, that was reduced to 225/1.5 to try to lessen the side effects.
I've now settled into a very regular regimen of basically 10 days feeling good, then 4-5 days with fever symptoms. They start around 99.5-100.5, and often spike to 102-103, and occasionally (if I'm not careful with Advil/Tylenol combo) go up to 103.5-104. Once the fever gets to about 102, I cycle off the meds for 2-3 days to get it back to normal, then resume.
Last set of scans (Stage IV Metastatic melanoma in lungs) were still good — no new growth or metabolic activity, existing main tumors are barely decreasing in size from the initial reduction back in April.
I'd like to figure out a way to 1) not get fevers every two weeks and half a third of my life spent dealing with them, and 2) not have to cycle off the meds, but as long as they're working….
Mark
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- September 12, 2015 at 7:50 pm
I'll chime in with my experience. I've been on the Tafinlar/Mekinist combo since early 2015. Initially at 300mg/2mg. After a few months, that was reduced to 225/1.5 to try to lessen the side effects.
I've now settled into a very regular regimen of basically 10 days feeling good, then 4-5 days with fever symptoms. They start around 99.5-100.5, and often spike to 102-103, and occasionally (if I'm not careful with Advil/Tylenol combo) go up to 103.5-104. Once the fever gets to about 102, I cycle off the meds for 2-3 days to get it back to normal, then resume.
Last set of scans (Stage IV Metastatic melanoma in lungs) were still good — no new growth or metabolic activity, existing main tumors are barely decreasing in size from the initial reduction back in April.
I'd like to figure out a way to 1) not get fevers every two weeks and half a third of my life spent dealing with them, and 2) not have to cycle off the meds, but as long as they're working….
Mark
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- September 12, 2015 at 7:50 pm
I'll chime in with my experience. I've been on the Tafinlar/Mekinist combo since early 2015. Initially at 300mg/2mg. After a few months, that was reduced to 225/1.5 to try to lessen the side effects.
I've now settled into a very regular regimen of basically 10 days feeling good, then 4-5 days with fever symptoms. They start around 99.5-100.5, and often spike to 102-103, and occasionally (if I'm not careful with Advil/Tylenol combo) go up to 103.5-104. Once the fever gets to about 102, I cycle off the meds for 2-3 days to get it back to normal, then resume.
Last set of scans (Stage IV Metastatic melanoma in lungs) were still good — no new growth or metabolic activity, existing main tumors are barely decreasing in size from the initial reduction back in April.
I'd like to figure out a way to 1) not get fevers every two weeks and half a third of my life spent dealing with them, and 2) not have to cycle off the meds, but as long as they're working….
Mark
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