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 If Needed
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 Tafinlar?
Tafinlar is the brand name for dabrafenib, an antineoplastic agent that belongs to a group called BRAF kinase inhibitors. BRAF stands for kinase B-raf, a protein in a cascade of signaling pathways that ultimately promotes cell proliferation and mobility.
The most frequent mutation in BRAF occurs in the catalytic domain resulting in a single amino acid change, V600. This mutation results in an aberrant activation of cell growth, which promotes tumor cell survival and enhances mobility.
Mutations in BRAF are seen in a number of cancers, mainly melanoma (40-60%), metastatic colorectal cancer (10-15%), non-small cell lung cancer (3%), breast cancer (3%), ovarian cancer (4%), glioma (11%) and papillary thyroid cancers (30-39%).
What Is Tafinlar Used To Treat?
Tafinlar is used to treat BRAF V600E and V600K-specific mutations seen in melanoma, as well as non-small cell lung cancer, solid tumors, and thyroid cancer.
Your doctor will confirm BRAF V600 mutation status (in tumor specimens) prior to initiating Tafinlar. It is used either as a monotherapy, or in combination with Mekinist (trametinib), another antineoplastic agent that works by inhibiting another enzyme in the BRAF signaling pathway, called MEK protein.
Tafinlar is taken orally and it comes in a capsule form of 50 mg and 75 mg, while Mekinist comes in a tablet form.
Copay and Financial Assistance
AmeriPharma™ Specialty Pharmacy 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
Dosing Information
Melanoma, adjuvant treatment: 150 mg twice daily (in combination with trametinib); continue for up to 1 year in the absence of disease recurrence or unacceptable toxicity.
Melanoma, metastatic or unresectable: 150 mg twice daily (as a single-agent therapy or in combination with trametinib).
Non-small cell lung cancer, metastatic: 150 mg twice daily (in combination with trametinib).
Solid tumors, unresectable or metastatic: 150 mg twice daily (in combination with trametinib).
Thyroid cancer, anaplastic, locally advanced or metastatic: 150 mg twice daily (in combination with trametinib).
Tafinlar Side Effects
All drugs including Tafinlar have the potential to cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only minor side effects such as:
- Hair loss
- Hard or thick skin
- Dry skin
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Back pain
- Constipation
- Cough
- Nose irritation
- Throat irritation
More serious side effects may occur, such as:
- Bleeding
- High blood sugar-like symptoms (confusion, fatigue, increased thirst, increased hunger, passing a lot of urine, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit)
- Fluid and electrolytes imbalance
- Kidney problems
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Change in strength in one side of the body
- Heart problems
- Mole changes
- Eye/vision problems
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