Dabrafenib

BRAF and MEK inhibitors
BRAF and MEK inhibitors
High alert
An error with this medicine can cause serious harm: double checks and protocols are used.
Pregnancy: avoid
Avoid in pregnancy. Can harm the fetus: a pregnancy test is done before starting and non-hormonal contraception is used during and after treatment, because the drug makes…

An oral inhibitor of mutant BRAF, paired with trametinib in BRAF V600 melanoma, lung and thyroid cancer. Watch fever, skin and eyes.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

Also called: dabrafenib mesylate

Quick facts

Group: BRAF and MEK inhibitors
Target: BRAF serine/threonine kinase (V600E/K mutants)
Used for: BRAF V600E/K melanoma · BRAF V600E low-grade glioma
Key effects: Fever and chills · Skin thickening · Headache
Monitor: BRAF V600 mutation test · Skin examinations before
ATC: L01EC02

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

Mechanism of action

BRAF serine/threonine kinase (V600E/K mutants)Dabrafenib

The figure shows dabrafenib in the ATP pocket of the human BRAF V600E kinase domain.

Target in 3D: BRAF serine/threonine kinase (V600E/K mutants). PDB structure 4XV2 (RCSB PDB, public domain). View the structure at RCSB PDB

Dabrafenib blocks the ATP site of mutant BRAF (V600E, V600K, V600D) and, at higher concentrations, wild-type BRAF and CRAF. This cuts the MAPK signal that drives the tumour. Resistance to the drug alone appears within months, so it is combined with the MEK inhibitor trametinib, which also delays the new skin squamous cell cancers seen with BRAF inhibitors alone.

BRAF V600E keeps the MAPK pathway switched on
Dabrafenib blocks the ATP site of mutant BRAF
Paired with trametinib to block MEK and delay resistance

Indications

BRAF V600E/K melanoma, unresectable or metastatic (alone or with trametinib) and after surgery when lymph nodes are involved (with trametinib). Melanoma →
BRAF V600E metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, with trametinib. Lung cancer →
BRAF V600E anaplastic thyroid cancer without local treatment options, with trametinib. Follicular, oncocytic (Hürthle cell) and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma →
BRAF V600E low-grade glioma in children who need systemic therapy, with trametinib. Childhood brain tumours (medulloblastoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, craniopharyngioma) →
BRAF V600E solid tumours without other options, with trametinib (accelerated approval).

Adverse effects

Common

Fever and chills (especially with trametinib)
Skin thickening, papillomas, rash, dry skin, hair loss
Headache, joint and muscle pain
Nausea, diarrhoea, decreased appetite
Cough and fatigue

Contraindications

Tumours without a BRAF V600 mutation (no benefit)

Key interactions

Hormonal contraceptives (pills, patches, rings, injections): Made less effective; a non-hormonal method is used.
Strong CYP2C8 or CYP3A4 inducers: Lower dabrafenib levels and can cause loss of effect.

What is monitored

BRAF V600 mutation test of the tumour before starting
Skin examinations before, during and for months after treatment
Temperature and kidney function when fever occurs
Blood glucose in people with diabetes
Eye symptoms

Administration and safety

Oral, on an empty stomach, away from meals; capsules are swallowed whole.
Tablets for oral suspension are dispersed in water and drunk at once.
Dabrafenib (BRAF) and trametinib (MEK) are separate drugs given together: check both on the order.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Avoid in pregnancy. Can harm the fetus: a pregnancy test is done before starting and non-hormonal contraception is used during and after treatment, because the drug makes hormonal contraceptives less effective; breastfeeding is avoided.

Nursing care

Teach to check temperature and to call promptly for fever, chills or shaking.
Teach to report new warts, sores or changing moles; arrange skin examinations.
Report eye pain, redness or blurred vision.
Confirm a negative pregnancy test and teach non-hormonal contraception (the pill may fail).

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Oral, twice daily, on an empty stomach.
Metabolism: Liver, CYP2C8 and CYP3A4.
Half-life: About 8 hours.

Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

Why is dabrafenib combined with trametinib?

To block BRAF and MEK together, which delays resistance and reduces new skin squamous cell cancers.

What is the most typical reaction of the dabrafenib + trametinib pair?

Fever (pyrexia) with chills.

Which contraceptive method is advised with dabrafenib, and why?

A non-hormonal method, because dabrafenib makes hormonal contraceptives less effective.

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Connections

← Back to the class: BRAF and MEK inhibitors

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: Dabrafenib: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2025); Dabrafenib Mesylate - NCI (National Cancer Institute, 2024); ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.