Let's take a minute to talk about your medication.

This is Mekinist. It helps treat certain types of several cancers, like melanoma, lung cancer, and thyroid cancer. It may have other uses too. 

Mekinist is often taken one time a day, at the same time each day. You should take it exactly how your doctor tells you to. You should take it on an empty stomach. This means take your dose at least 1 hour before a meal, or at least 2 hours after. 

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, a rash, a fever, chills and swelling of the face, arms and legs. These effects are common, but they can also be symptoms of a more serious condition. You should tell your doctor right away if you have side effects. He or she will help manage them.  

Mekinist can cause high blood pressure or high blood sugar. You can ask your doctor if you should watch for these at home, especially if you already have high blood pressure or diabetes. 

As with any medicine, more serious side effects can occur. With Mekinist, this includes a risk of new skin cancers. It's important to check your skin often, and let your doctor know right away if you see any changes. You should read the Patient Information guide for more information about this and other side effects. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow your condition closely. 

This medicine can harm unborn babies. Women should talk to their doctors about which birth control to use and for how long. Women should not breastfeed.

You should store this medicine in the original bottle, in the refrigerator, and away from children. 

For best results with Mekinist, work closely with your doctor to manage side effects.