How Assistance Works
Streamlining our patient’s specialty pharmacy experience with unmatched full-service convenience
-
1. Check Your Coverage/Benefits Verification
Our team of expert billers finds the best avenues of coverage that minimize out-of-pocket costs.
-
2. Transfer Prescription to AmeriPharma™
We process your prescription by working with your previous pharmacy or prescriber, making the transition quick and easy.
-
3. Prior Authorization
Our team of specialists obtains approval from your insurance companies within 24 to 72 hours.
-
4. Copay Assistance & Financial Aid
We secure financial aid and decrease copays, out-of-pocket expenses, and high deductibles. To date, AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care has secured $55 million in financial assistance for our patients.
-
5. Nursing Care Coordination
AmeriPharma™ puts your schedule and home environment first when scheduling and coordinating one of our specialized nurses for your in-home infusions.
-
6. Delivery Coordination
Medications are always delivered in strict compliance with the specific requirements for shipping. Next-day and overnight cold-chain deliveries are coordinated around your schedule.
What Is Mekinist?
Mekinist is a medication used to treat several types of cancer in patients who have one of two specific gene mutations that are called BRAF V600E and BRAF V600K. Mekinist works by inhibiting the MEK1 and MEK2 kinase enzymes’ activity. These enzymes normally promote the cells’ rapid reproduction. Mekinist also activates the BRAF pathway, which inhibits melanoma cell growth.
The generic name of Mekinist is trametinib. It is manufactured by Novartis and was first approved by the FDA in 2013.
Mekinist is currently only available as a brand-name medication, and it comes in oral tablets of 0.5 mg and 2 mg.
What is Mekinist Used For?
Mekinist is FDA approved for the treatment of several cancer types when patients have BRAF V600E or BRAF V600K mutations (the mutations have to be detected by an approved test for Mekinist treatment to be appropriate). Mekinist is used as follows:
- As a single agent: For the treatment of melanoma that cannot be surgically removed or that is metastatic. Mekinist should be used in patients with BRAF V600E or BRAF V600K mutations who have not been treated by a BRAF inhibitor before.
- In combination with Tafinlar (dabrafenib) for:
- Melanoma
- As an adjuvant treatment in patients with BRAF V600E or BRAF V600K mutations and lymph node involvement following complete surgical removal of the melanoma.
- For the treatment of melanoma that cannot be surgically removed or that is metastatic in patients with BRAF V600E mutation.
- Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in patients with BRAF V600E or BRAF V600K mutations.
- Solid tumors that cannot be surgically removed or are metastatic in adult or pediatric patients (at least 6 years old) with BRAF V600E mutation whose tumors have progressed following prior treatment and who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options.
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer that is locally advanced or metastatic in patients with BRAF V600E mutation that have no satisfactory treatment options.
- Melanoma
Mekinist is NOT indicated for the treatment of colorectal cancer as it is known to have a resistance to BRAF inhibition.
Copay and Financial Assistance
AmeriPharma™ Specialty Care alleviates financial burdens for patients and their families
-
Advanced software locates funding sources to match you with top-dollar foundation programs
-
One of our copay assistance specialists will assist with the application process
-
Automatic updates will be sent to you and your physician on the status of the funding
How To Take Mekinist
Upon confirmation of BRAF V600E or BRAF V600K mutations, Mekinist is taken as follows (please refer to the indicated use mentioned above for a full diagnosis description):
- Melanoma (as a single agent or in combination with Tafinlar): 2 mg once daily.
- Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (in combination with Tafinlar): 2 mg once daily.
- Solid tumors that cannot be surgically removed or that are metastatic (in combination with Tafinlar): 2 mg once daily.
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer that is locally advanced or metastatic (in combination with Tafinlar): 2 mg once daily.
Mekinist should be taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Doses should be taken about 24 hours apart, whether taken as a single agent or in combination with Tafinlar.
Missed doses should NOT be taken within 12 hours of the next dose.
If taken as a combination with Tafinlar, Mekinist should either be taken with the morning or evening dose of Tafinlar.
Mekinist Side Effects
- Edema/swelling (including peripheral edema to the limbs)
- High blood pressure (or worsening of existing high blood pressure)
- Outbreak of acne-like papules and pustules
- Rash
- Skin dryness
- Decrease in the serum albumin
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Mouth sores
- Anemia
- Bleeding
- Lymphedema (tissue swelling due to accumulation of protein-rich fluid)
- Increase in liver enzymes (ALT, ALP, and AST)
- Slow heart rate
- Bacterial skin infection
- Inflammation of hair follicles
- Infection around the nail
- Itching
- Altered taste
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Muscle breakdown (can be damaging to the kidneys)
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
- Interstitial lung disease
- Inflammation of lung tissue
Mekinist may also cause: Bleeding problems, inflammation or tears to the stomach or intestines, blood clots, heart problems, eye problems, lung or breathing problems, fever, serious skin reactions, and increased blood sugar.
These are not all of the possible side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor.
Insurances Accepted
We accept Medicare, multi-state Medicaid, Medi-Cal, Blue Shield, and most private insurances. Call us to find out more about your coverage.
Get Started in Minutes
Fill out your information and one of our specialists will call you ASAP.
How Much Can You Save?
Speak with a copay assistance specialist
(877) 778-0318
By submitting, you agree to AmeriPharma’s Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Notice of Privacy Practices