What are the side effects of Capmatinib?

Capmatinib is a targeted drug used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It mainly targets the abnormal expression or activation of MET protein. Although capmatinib has achieved certain success in the treatment of lung cancer, its use may be accompanied by some side effects. Here are some common and serious side effects that capmatinib can cause:

1.Common side effects:

Fatigue: Patients may experience fatigue, a common side effect of medications that affects their daily life and energy.

Nausea and Vomiting: Digestive discomfort, including nausea and vomiting, may occur during use of capmatinib. This can often be relieved with doctor's advice and medication management.

Diarrhea: Patients may experience diarrhea, which may be due to the effects of the drug on the intestines.

2.Influence on appetite and weight: Capmatinib may affect the patient's appetite and lead to weight loss. This may affect the patient's nutritional status, requiring close monitoring of weight changes and timely intervention during treatment.

3.Abnormal liver function: Capmatinib may have effects on liver function, including elevated liver enzyme levels. Doctors typically monitor patients' liver function regularly to ensure that potential effects on the liver during drug use are recognized and addressed promptly.

4.Skin reaction: Skin reaction is a common side effect during the use of capmatinib, which may manifest as rash, itching, dryness, desquamation, etc. These reactions are usually mild to moderate and can be relieved with skin care measures and medications.

5.Ocular hair pigmentation: Use of capmatinib may cause eye hair pigmentation, darkening eyelashes and eyebrows. This side effect is usually reversible but may affect the patient's appearance.

6.Eedema: Edema may be an uncommon but possible side effect of capmatinib. Patients may notice edema in the hands, feet, or other areas.

7.Hypertension: Capmatinib use may be associated with hypertension. Patients need to measure their blood pressure regularly during treatment and manage it as recommended by their doctor.

8.Bleeding tendency: In some cases, capmatinib may cause an increased risk of bleeding. Patients should avoid medications that may increase the risk of bleeding, such as anticoagulants, and have regular blood tests during treatment.

9.Respiratory problems: The use of capmatinib may cause respiratory problems, including coughing and shortness of breath. Patients should promptly report any breathing-related discomfort to their doctor during treatment.

10.Eye problems: Sometimes, the use of capmatinib may cause dry eyes, blurred vision and other problems. Patients should report any symptoms related to eye discomfort to their doctor.

Patients should pay close attention to their physical condition while using capmatinib, undergo regular medical monitoring, and follow their doctor's recommendations. Patients should promptly report any possible side effects or discomfort to their doctor so that the doctor can make adjustments or manage them according to the specific situation. In addition, because the side effects of capmatinib may vary among individuals, patients should maintain effective communication with their medical team during treatment.

Capmatinib is not yet available in China, so patients cannot purchase it domestically yet and need to purchase it through overseas channels. Currently, there are Hong Kong version of original drugs and foreign original drugs and generic drugs. The price of Hong Kong version of original drugs is about 35,000 yuan. The overseas original drugs are mainly European version of original drugs, and the price is more than 50,000 yuan, so original drugs are still relatively expensive. Generic drugs on the market abroad are much cheaper, mainly Laos generic drugs, the price is around 3,000 to 4,000 yuan, and the ingredients of original drugs and generic drugs are basically the same.