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Zelboraf side effects
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Zelboraf side effects

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Zelboraf side effects

  • Post
    • April 23, 2014 at 6:10 pm
    mark1101
    Participant

      I have tried Zelboraf at full dose two times and both times I have hit the wall with regard to joint pain around 6 or 7 days in.  Doctor's solution is to suspend the drug for 3 or 4 days and then restart.  Is there a better alternative to dealing with this pain?

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • April 23, 2014 at 6:26 pm
        ad2424
        Participant

          Have you discussed with your doctor taking MEK along with the Zel? Side effects are less and results are better. I am only 1 but have had no joint pain on both.

          • April 23, 2014 at 6:26 pm
          ad2424
          Participant

            Have you discussed with your doctor taking MEK along with the Zel? Side effects are less and results are better. I am only 1 but have had no joint pain on both.

            • April 23, 2014 at 6:26 pm
            ad2424
            Participant

              Have you discussed with your doctor taking MEK along with the Zel? Side effects are less and results are better. I am only 1 but have had no joint pain on both.

              • April 24, 2014 at 3:58 am
              paul
              Participant

                Hello Mark,

                Several other options would be:

                1. take a small dose of prednisone along with drug

                2. reduce dosage to 3×2 rather than 4×2.

                I'm currently on the MEK combo and have some joint pain, but have had fewer side-effects overal than I did on Zelboraf.

                Paul

                • April 24, 2014 at 3:58 am
                paul
                Participant

                  Hello Mark,

                  Several other options would be:

                  1. take a small dose of prednisone along with drug

                  2. reduce dosage to 3×2 rather than 4×2.

                  I'm currently on the MEK combo and have some joint pain, but have had fewer side-effects overal than I did on Zelboraf.

                  Paul

                  • April 24, 2014 at 3:58 am
                  paul
                  Participant

                    Hello Mark,

                    Several other options would be:

                    1. take a small dose of prednisone along with drug

                    2. reduce dosage to 3×2 rather than 4×2.

                    I'm currently on the MEK combo and have some joint pain, but have had fewer side-effects overal than I did on Zelboraf.

                    Paul

                    • April 24, 2014 at 7:30 am
                    Richard_K
                    Participant

                      Mark,

                      I am a little past four years on Zelboraf.  While the "normal" side effects were never too bad, I have experienced problems with my liver as indicated with elevated bilirubin.  The bilirubin issue was addressed by taking occasional one or two week holidaies and in November 2012, my dosage was dropped to 720 mg 2x a day from 960 mg 2x a day.

                      Six weeks ago I had to take another two week holiday but yesterday I got results of Monday's scan – no problems.  I also had new blood work – everything normal, and I got another six weeks worth of pills.

                      Hope this helps and best of luck to you.

                      • April 24, 2014 at 7:30 am
                      Richard_K
                      Participant

                        Mark,

                        I am a little past four years on Zelboraf.  While the "normal" side effects were never too bad, I have experienced problems with my liver as indicated with elevated bilirubin.  The bilirubin issue was addressed by taking occasional one or two week holidaies and in November 2012, my dosage was dropped to 720 mg 2x a day from 960 mg 2x a day.

                        Six weeks ago I had to take another two week holiday but yesterday I got results of Monday's scan – no problems.  I also had new blood work – everything normal, and I got another six weeks worth of pills.

                        Hope this helps and best of luck to you.

                        • April 24, 2014 at 7:30 am
                        Richard_K
                        Participant

                          Mark,

                          I am a little past four years on Zelboraf.  While the "normal" side effects were never too bad, I have experienced problems with my liver as indicated with elevated bilirubin.  The bilirubin issue was addressed by taking occasional one or two week holidaies and in November 2012, my dosage was dropped to 720 mg 2x a day from 960 mg 2x a day.

                          Six weeks ago I had to take another two week holiday but yesterday I got results of Monday's scan – no problems.  I also had new blood work – everything normal, and I got another six weeks worth of pills.

                          Hope this helps and best of luck to you.

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