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Zelboraf Side Effects

Forums General Melanoma Community Zelboraf Side Effects

  • Post
    bkinman
    Participant

      How long before you started having side effects of Zelboraf?  I started 2 pills 2 times a day today and will work my way up to 4 pills twice a day.

       

      Thanks

      Becky

      How long before you started having side effects of Zelboraf?  I started 2 pills 2 times a day today and will work my way up to 4 pills twice a day.

       

      Thanks

      Becky

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        NYKaren
        Participant
          Hi Becky,
          I started at 4 pills 2x/day and started having side-effects within about a week. The good news is that I responded within about 10 days as well.
          My side-effects were not nearly as bad as some people’s.
          Best of luck on Zel, and please keep us posted on how you’re doing.
          If you don’t mind me asking, where are you being treated and what is your doctor’s rationale for starting at 2 pills 2x/day? I’ve not heard of that before.
          All the best,
          Karen
          NYKaren
          Participant
            Hi Becky,
            I started at 4 pills 2x/day and started having side-effects within about a week. The good news is that I responded within about 10 days as well.
            My side-effects were not nearly as bad as some people’s.
            Best of luck on Zel, and please keep us posted on how you’re doing.
            If you don’t mind me asking, where are you being treated and what is your doctor’s rationale for starting at 2 pills 2x/day? I’ve not heard of that before.
            All the best,
            Karen
              bkinman
              Participant

                Hi Karen.  Thank you for sharing your experience.  I am being treated at MD Anderson in Houston, TX.  He is starting me at 2X2 for a week and then 3X3 for a week and then 4X4 a week all if tolerated.

                bkinman
                Participant

                  Hi Karen.  Thank you for sharing your experience.  I am being treated at MD Anderson in Houston, TX.  He is starting me at 2X2 for a week and then 3X3 for a week and then 4X4 a week all if tolerated.

                  bkinman
                  Participant

                    Hi Karen.  Thank you for sharing your experience.  I am being treated at MD Anderson in Houston, TX.  He is starting me at 2X2 for a week and then 3X3 for a week and then 4X4 a week all if tolerated.

                  NYKaren
                  Participant
                    Hi Becky,
                    I started at 4 pills 2x/day and started having side-effects within about a week. The good news is that I responded within about 10 days as well.
                    My side-effects were not nearly as bad as some people’s.
                    Best of luck on Zel, and please keep us posted on how you’re doing.
                    If you don’t mind me asking, where are you being treated and what is your doctor’s rationale for starting at 2 pills 2x/day? I’ve not heard of that before.
                    All the best,
                    Karen
                    Cielo
                    Participant

                      Becky, this is just to inform you on my husband's side effects.  Please don't be alarm, because, some as what I have  read on this site, have different side effects. But we have read all these things that could happen. My husband like you took Ipi (Yervoy) before taking the Z.  His mets were in the spine lumbar, lungs, liver and skull.

                      My husband started Zel with 4×4…felt really good for the whole week but second week he started having skin problems. His arms and legs were covered with all sorts of skin disorders… which were biopsied as squamous cells, most of it, and some were basal cells and some moles were melanoma which were punch biopsied and then also warts.  He also became photo sensitive  and still is. Stopped taking Zel for two weeks.  His dermatologist was very busy for one month to just take care of the skin problems.  Zel was resumed to three and three while his skin problems were healing. No new skin disorder, so doctor thought that it was the right dose. Everything is now cleared but it took about two months Then came joint pains,  aching  and tingling hands and feet.  His first scans after taking Zel had good promising results, lesions were shrinking despite all the side effects.   After six months on Zel, my husband, reduced the dosage to three pills (720 mg) in the morning and two (480 mg) at night, this of course with his doctor's permission. His last scans in December showed even more reduction. His lungs are now cleared.  Although, Something is showing on the Brain MRI around the sinus area but Doctor decided to wait and see the next MRI which is coming up at the end of this month.  We are having Scanxiety already!

                      Cielo

                        bkinman
                        Participant

                          Thanks Cielo.  Good luck on his next scan.  I know it is nerve racking.

                          I was just trying to get a feel for how long people took it before any of the side effects started showing up.  I have had a little queasiness, but nothing major. Of course I have only taken 3 doses as of this morning.

                          I was treated locally by Dr. Thomas Brown after my mel metastasized in my arm.  He gave me the Yervoy. Had a spot on my spine show up a couple months after the one on my arm was removed and while I was on the Yervoy. Took radiation for that.  About 3 months after my last dose of Y I had another lump on my arm.  Did a PET and had a spot on my liver. We opted to go to a specialist.  Went to MD Anderson last week.  Since I was BRAF positive, he started me on Zelboraf.  Took me a week to get the med between insurance and pharmacy.  But PTL I only have to pay a $35 copay for it each month.  Started taking it yesterday.  Last week it showed a few more possible spots on my spine and a possible spot in the gallbladder fosca?  Where my gb used to be I think is what he said.  I go back April 10th for restaging/scans.

                           

                          Becky

                          JerryfromFauq
                          Participant

                            Hopefuly you are one of the ones that were a late responder to Yervoy.   I would  like to see more info on the dosage and timing of your Yervoy treatments and the timing and amount of your Zelboraf relative to the Yervoy.  There are studies underway to examine the relatiionship between having used Yervoy and Zelobraf.  There may well be a snergistic effec tbetween the two as there often is between IL-2 and other Melanoma treatments.

                            JerryfromFauq
                            Participant

                              Hopefuly you are one of the ones that were a late responder to Yervoy.   I would  like to see more info on the dosage and timing of your Yervoy treatments and the timing and amount of your Zelboraf relative to the Yervoy.  There are studies underway to examine the relatiionship between having used Yervoy and Zelobraf.  There may well be a snergistic effec tbetween the two as there often is between IL-2 and other Melanoma treatments.

                              JerryfromFauq
                              Participant

                                Hopefuly you are one of the ones that were a late responder to Yervoy.   I would  like to see more info on the dosage and timing of your Yervoy treatments and the timing and amount of your Zelboraf relative to the Yervoy.  There are studies underway to examine the relatiionship between having used Yervoy and Zelobraf.  There may well be a snergistic effec tbetween the two as there often is between IL-2 and other Melanoma treatments.

                                bkinman
                                Participant

                                  Hi Jerry.  I started the Yervoy 7/19/2012 and took my last dose 9/24/2012 after a knot positive for melanoma was removed from my arm 5/25/2012.. Started having pain in side that turned out to be a fractured T-9 vertebrae from a lytic lesion presumed to be from met the first of July. Radiated it beginning 9/27/2012 for 14 treatments through 10/19/2012. Started zometa to strengthen bones 11/9/2012 was scheduled for 3rd dose in January 2013, but found knot on arm and needed to have it removed.  Had it removed 1/16/13 and it came back positive for melanoma. Did PET scan and it showed a spot on my liver. Called MD Anderson and got an appointment for 2/12/13 (soonest they could see me). He put me on Zelboraf and I just got it yesterday. 2/21/13, and began taking it.

                                   

                                  Sorry I can't remember the dosage of the Yervoy, I think what ever the standard indication is.  He started me off on 2 Zelboraf twice a day and I will work my way up to 4 twice a day as tolerated.

                                  Becky.

                                  bkinman
                                  Participant

                                    Hi Jerry.  I started the Yervoy 7/19/2012 and took my last dose 9/24/2012 after a knot positive for melanoma was removed from my arm 5/25/2012.. Started having pain in side that turned out to be a fractured T-9 vertebrae from a lytic lesion presumed to be from met the first of July. Radiated it beginning 9/27/2012 for 14 treatments through 10/19/2012. Started zometa to strengthen bones 11/9/2012 was scheduled for 3rd dose in January 2013, but found knot on arm and needed to have it removed.  Had it removed 1/16/13 and it came back positive for melanoma. Did PET scan and it showed a spot on my liver. Called MD Anderson and got an appointment for 2/12/13 (soonest they could see me). He put me on Zelboraf and I just got it yesterday. 2/21/13, and began taking it.

                                     

                                    Sorry I can't remember the dosage of the Yervoy, I think what ever the standard indication is.  He started me off on 2 Zelboraf twice a day and I will work my way up to 4 twice a day as tolerated.

                                    Becky.

                                    bkinman
                                    Participant

                                      Wanted to update on my status. Today is 4/11/13. I went off Z for a week in March due to the sever joint pain and rash. I then started back at the low dose (2am 2pm) then 2am, 3pm and worked my way up to 4am and 4pm this monday, 4/8/13. I still have the joint pain, but it is not debilitating and goes from joint to joint. I mostly take Lortab for pain when it gets bad. He put me on celebrex 200 mg twice daily. The rash (I guess you still call it that) is still there, but does not itch. Just looks like bumps on each of my pores. Skin on my face stays pretty red but finally sloughed off some of the roughness this am, maybe it will get softer. My hair has begun to come out some. I can see more of my scalp. Eyebrows are leaving me, but can still pull them off with some brow powder stuff I got at Sally's Beauty supply. I go for my follow-up scans in TX Monday. I have lots of people praying for me, so I am believing for good results.

                                       

                                      Best,

                                      Becky

                                      bkinman
                                      Participant

                                        Wanted to update on my status. Today is 4/11/13. I went off Z for a week in March due to the sever joint pain and rash. I then started back at the low dose (2am 2pm) then 2am, 3pm and worked my way up to 4am and 4pm this monday, 4/8/13. I still have the joint pain, but it is not debilitating and goes from joint to joint. I mostly take Lortab for pain when it gets bad. He put me on celebrex 200 mg twice daily. The rash (I guess you still call it that) is still there, but does not itch. Just looks like bumps on each of my pores. Skin on my face stays pretty red but finally sloughed off some of the roughness this am, maybe it will get softer. My hair has begun to come out some. I can see more of my scalp. Eyebrows are leaving me, but can still pull them off with some brow powder stuff I got at Sally's Beauty supply. I go for my follow-up scans in TX Monday. I have lots of people praying for me, so I am believing for good results.

                                         

                                        Best,

                                        Becky

                                        bkinman
                                        Participant

                                          Wanted to update on my status. Today is 4/11/13. I went off Z for a week in March due to the sever joint pain and rash. I then started back at the low dose (2am 2pm) then 2am, 3pm and worked my way up to 4am and 4pm this monday, 4/8/13. I still have the joint pain, but it is not debilitating and goes from joint to joint. I mostly take Lortab for pain when it gets bad. He put me on celebrex 200 mg twice daily. The rash (I guess you still call it that) is still there, but does not itch. Just looks like bumps on each of my pores. Skin on my face stays pretty red but finally sloughed off some of the roughness this am, maybe it will get softer. My hair has begun to come out some. I can see more of my scalp. Eyebrows are leaving me, but can still pull them off with some brow powder stuff I got at Sally's Beauty supply. I go for my follow-up scans in TX Monday. I have lots of people praying for me, so I am believing for good results.

                                           

                                          Best,

                                          Becky

                                          bkinman
                                          Participant

                                            Hi Jerry.  I started the Yervoy 7/19/2012 and took my last dose 9/24/2012 after a knot positive for melanoma was removed from my arm 5/25/2012.. Started having pain in side that turned out to be a fractured T-9 vertebrae from a lytic lesion presumed to be from met the first of July. Radiated it beginning 9/27/2012 for 14 treatments through 10/19/2012. Started zometa to strengthen bones 11/9/2012 was scheduled for 3rd dose in January 2013, but found knot on arm and needed to have it removed.  Had it removed 1/16/13 and it came back positive for melanoma. Did PET scan and it showed a spot on my liver. Called MD Anderson and got an appointment for 2/12/13 (soonest they could see me). He put me on Zelboraf and I just got it yesterday. 2/21/13, and began taking it.

                                             

                                            Sorry I can't remember the dosage of the Yervoy, I think what ever the standard indication is.  He started me off on 2 Zelboraf twice a day and I will work my way up to 4 twice a day as tolerated.

                                            Becky.

                                            bkinman
                                            Participant

                                              Thanks Cielo.  Good luck on his next scan.  I know it is nerve racking.

                                              I was just trying to get a feel for how long people took it before any of the side effects started showing up.  I have had a little queasiness, but nothing major. Of course I have only taken 3 doses as of this morning.

                                              I was treated locally by Dr. Thomas Brown after my mel metastasized in my arm.  He gave me the Yervoy. Had a spot on my spine show up a couple months after the one on my arm was removed and while I was on the Yervoy. Took radiation for that.  About 3 months after my last dose of Y I had another lump on my arm.  Did a PET and had a spot on my liver. We opted to go to a specialist.  Went to MD Anderson last week.  Since I was BRAF positive, he started me on Zelboraf.  Took me a week to get the med between insurance and pharmacy.  But PTL I only have to pay a $35 copay for it each month.  Started taking it yesterday.  Last week it showed a few more possible spots on my spine and a possible spot in the gallbladder fosca?  Where my gb used to be I think is what he said.  I go back April 10th for restaging/scans.

                                               

                                              Becky

                                              bkinman
                                              Participant

                                                Thanks Cielo.  Good luck on his next scan.  I know it is nerve racking.

                                                I was just trying to get a feel for how long people took it before any of the side effects started showing up.  I have had a little queasiness, but nothing major. Of course I have only taken 3 doses as of this morning.

                                                I was treated locally by Dr. Thomas Brown after my mel metastasized in my arm.  He gave me the Yervoy. Had a spot on my spine show up a couple months after the one on my arm was removed and while I was on the Yervoy. Took radiation for that.  About 3 months after my last dose of Y I had another lump on my arm.  Did a PET and had a spot on my liver. We opted to go to a specialist.  Went to MD Anderson last week.  Since I was BRAF positive, he started me on Zelboraf.  Took me a week to get the med between insurance and pharmacy.  But PTL I only have to pay a $35 copay for it each month.  Started taking it yesterday.  Last week it showed a few more possible spots on my spine and a possible spot in the gallbladder fosca?  Where my gb used to be I think is what he said.  I go back April 10th for restaging/scans.

                                                 

                                                Becky

                                              Cielo
                                              Participant

                                                Becky, this is just to inform you on my husband's side effects.  Please don't be alarm, because, some as what I have  read on this site, have different side effects. But we have read all these things that could happen. My husband like you took Ipi (Yervoy) before taking the Z.  His mets were in the spine lumbar, lungs, liver and skull.

                                                My husband started Zel with 4×4…felt really good for the whole week but second week he started having skin problems. His arms and legs were covered with all sorts of skin disorders… which were biopsied as squamous cells, most of it, and some were basal cells and some moles were melanoma which were punch biopsied and then also warts.  He also became photo sensitive  and still is. Stopped taking Zel for two weeks.  His dermatologist was very busy for one month to just take care of the skin problems.  Zel was resumed to three and three while his skin problems were healing. No new skin disorder, so doctor thought that it was the right dose. Everything is now cleared but it took about two months Then came joint pains,  aching  and tingling hands and feet.  His first scans after taking Zel had good promising results, lesions were shrinking despite all the side effects.   After six months on Zel, my husband, reduced the dosage to three pills (720 mg) in the morning and two (480 mg) at night, this of course with his doctor's permission. His last scans in December showed even more reduction. His lungs are now cleared.  Although, Something is showing on the Brain MRI around the sinus area but Doctor decided to wait and see the next MRI which is coming up at the end of this month.  We are having Scanxiety already!

                                                Cielo

                                                Cielo
                                                Participant

                                                  Becky, this is just to inform you on my husband's side effects.  Please don't be alarm, because, some as what I have  read on this site, have different side effects. But we have read all these things that could happen. My husband like you took Ipi (Yervoy) before taking the Z.  His mets were in the spine lumbar, lungs, liver and skull.

                                                  My husband started Zel with 4×4…felt really good for the whole week but second week he started having skin problems. His arms and legs were covered with all sorts of skin disorders… which were biopsied as squamous cells, most of it, and some were basal cells and some moles were melanoma which were punch biopsied and then also warts.  He also became photo sensitive  and still is. Stopped taking Zel for two weeks.  His dermatologist was very busy for one month to just take care of the skin problems.  Zel was resumed to three and three while his skin problems were healing. No new skin disorder, so doctor thought that it was the right dose. Everything is now cleared but it took about two months Then came joint pains,  aching  and tingling hands and feet.  His first scans after taking Zel had good promising results, lesions were shrinking despite all the side effects.   After six months on Zel, my husband, reduced the dosage to three pills (720 mg) in the morning and two (480 mg) at night, this of course with his doctor's permission. His last scans in December showed even more reduction. His lungs are now cleared.  Although, Something is showing on the Brain MRI around the sinus area but Doctor decided to wait and see the next MRI which is coming up at the end of this month.  We are having Scanxiety already!

                                                  Cielo

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