Brand Name(s)
- United States: Tabrecta
- Canada: Tabrecta
Warning(s)
Tell your care team about all allergies and all medicines and supplements you take. Some drugs for HIV, infections, or seizures can interact with capmatinib. Do not start, stop, or change any medicine without checking first.
- Lung problems (pneumonitis/ILD): New or worse shortness of breath, cough, or fever can be serious. Call your care team right away.
- Liver problems: Capmatinib can affect your liver. You will need blood tests. Call if you notice yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, loss of appetite, stomach pain, or severe fatigue.
- Pancreas problems: Severe stomach or back pain, bad nausea, or vomiting can be a sign of pancreatitis. Get help right away.
- Swelling and dizziness: Swelling (edema), chest pain, severe dizziness, or fainting need prompt medical attention.
- Electrolyte or blood sugar changes: Call if you have confusion, shaking, fast heartbeat, weakness, seizures, or sweating.
- Sun sensitivity: You may sunburn more easily. Use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and avoid tanning beds.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: This drug may harm an unborn baby. You will have a pregnancy test before starting. Use birth control during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose.
- Drug and food interactions: Some strong enzyme inducers or inhibitors can change how capmatinib works. Avoid grapefruit and St. John’s wort unless your care team says otherwise.
- Share information: Tell all your health care providers, including dentists, that you take capmatinib. Keep all lab and clinic visits as scheduled.
Kind of Cancers It Is Used For (not a complete list)
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has a MET exon 14 skipping change (METex14) and has spread or cannot be removed by surgery.
Your care team will test your tumor to check for the MET exon 14 skipping change before starting this medicine.
Mechanism of Action
Capmatinib is a targeted therapy. It blocks a protein called MET (a receptor tyrosine kinase) that helps cancer cells grow and spread.
Some lung cancers have a change called MET exon 14 skipping that makes MET overactive. By blocking MET signals, capmatinib can slow or stop cancer cell growth.
Common Side Effects
- Swelling in your hands, legs, or feet (edema)
- Tiredness or weakness; dizziness
- Decreased appetite; weight loss
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or stomach upset
- Back, bone, joint, muscle, or neck pain
- Sun sensitivity (easier sunburns)
- Changes in lab tests, including liver enzymes, pancreatic enzymes, and creatinine
Side effects are common with cancer medicines, but many are manageable. Call your care team if symptoms are severe, do not go away, or worry you.
Last reviewed: 2025-12-15
