Key takeaways

  • Braftovi (encorafenib) can cause side effects that range from mild to serious.
  • More common side effects may depend on the condition Braftovi is being used to treat. For example, more common side effects when used for melanoma include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and joint pain.
  • If side effects from Braftovi become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor about coping tips or other treatment options.

Braftovi is used in adults to treat:

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Braftovi can cause. To learn more about this medication, including its uses, dosage, and cost, read this Braftovi overview.

Braftovi can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult to tolerate.

The following lists contain a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Braftovi in studies. Side effects of this drug can vary depending on the condition being treated.

More common side effects in people taking Braftovi in combination with binimetinib for melanoma include:

  • fatigue (low energy)
  • nausea or vomiting
  • abdominal pain
  • joint pain

More common side effects in people taking Braftovi , in combination with cetuximab and mFOLFOX6 for metastatic colorectal cancer include:

  • numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in the hands or feet
  • nausea or vomiting
  • fatigue (low energy)
  • skin rash
  • diarrhea
  • decreased appetite
  • bleeding
  • abdominal pain
  • fever

More common side effects in people taking Braftovi in combination with cetuximab for metastatic colorectal cancer include:

  • fatigue (low energy)
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • acne
  • abdominal pain
  • decreased appetite
  • joint pain
  • skin rash

More common side effects in people taking Braftovi for metastatic NSCLC include:

  • fatigue (low energy)
  • nausea or vomiting
  • diarrhea or constipation
  • muscle pain
  • abdominal pain
  • eye problems
  • shortness of breath
  • skin rash
  • cough

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Mild side effects have been reported with Braftovi. These include:

  • fatigue (low energy)
  • nausea or vomiting
  • abdominal pain
  • joint pain
  • numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in the hands or feet
  • skin rash
  • diarrhea or constipation
  • decreased appetite
  • bleeding
  • abdominal pain
  • fever
  • acne
  • cough
  • muscle pain
  • shortness of breath

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop Braftovi treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Braftovi may cause mild side effects other than those listed here. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Braftovi may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Braftovi’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Braftovi, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

  • heart problems, such as heart failure or an abnormal heart rhythm called QT prolongation
  • liver damage
  • new cancers, including skin cancers and other types of cancer
  • bleeding, including bleeding in the stomach, intestine, or brain
  • eye problems such as uveitis

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Braftovi and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Braftovi can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Braftovi treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Braftovi, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

There may be things you can do to help make certain Braftovi side effects more manageable. If you have ongoing, worsening, or bothersome side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest tips for managing them or recommend other available treatment options for your condition.

Nausea or vomiting

Nausea or vomiting was a common side effect reported in studies of Braftovi. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • Taking over-the-counter antiemetic medications
  • Getting fresh air
  • Eating dry, starchy, and bland foods such as crackers, noodles, and toast
  • Staying hydrated by drinking clear fluids

Fatigue

Fatigue was a common side effect reported in studies of Braftovi. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

Before taking Braftovi, discuss your health history with your doctor. Braftovi may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • liver problems
  • heart problems, such as heart failure or an abnormal heart rhythm
  • increased risk of bleeding
  • low potassium or magnesium levels
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.