Just wanted to share my son's journey with Zelboraf which he started on 3/8. Initial dose 4 pills twice a day. He had every side effect listed (head to toe rash, joint pain, rash in throat, fatigue, swelling in hands & feet, etc., etc.). Then 7 weeks in, his liver studies went over the top, so doctor stopped Zelboraf for 2 1/2 weeks.
Just wanted to share my son's journey with Zelboraf which he started on 3/8. Initial dose 4 pills twice a day. He had every side effect listed (head to toe rash, joint pain, rash in throat, fatigue, swelling in hands & feet, etc., etc.). Then 7 weeks in, his liver studies went over the top, so doctor stopped Zelboraf for 2 1/2 weeks. Of course, all the side effects went away while off the Zelboraf. Then since liver lab levels coming down, restarted him on 1/2 dose, 2 pills twice a day. Side effects came back, but not quite as severe as at the beginning. As his liver levels continued to come down to finally reach normal, his dose was increased to 3 pills for 4 weeks, and now back on full dose of 4 pills. Each time the dose was increased, side effects increased for the first several days, but then leveled off. Doctor has treated the joint pain with low dose prednisone because both Tylenol and NSAIDS effect the liver. That has helped a lot. He has had Mohs on 2 squamous cell carcinomas on is face and neck and several warts removed. But his scans at 8 weeks showed a decrease in most mets and no increase in any. Nearly all of the pain from the tumors is gone. His energy level is good now and he has even gotten a bike to ride after the sun goes down. We just all hope the Zelboraf continues to work.
This might give someone else an idea of how the side effects come and go with dosages and length of time.
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