Side effects

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are likely to be minor and temporary.

However, some side effects may need medical attention and reporting these side effects is very important. If you experience a side effect, your doctor may decide to temporarily modify your treatment schedule.

Common TAFINLAR + MEKINIST side effects

Common side effects include feeling sick, vomiting, headache, changes to appetite, lack of energy, joint pain, hair loss, skin changes including: redness, dryness, itching, raised bumps, rash, tingling, weakness, or sensation loss in hands and feet.

Skin problems

• Red, dry, itchy, cracked or irritated skin
• Sunspots, skin tags, warts
• Raised, painful, red to dark reddish-purple skin patches or sores that appear mainly on the arms, legs, face, and neck, with a fever (signs of acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis or Sweet's syndrome)
• Sensitive skin
• Tattoo associated skin reaction

General wellness

• Lack of energy, feeling sick, headache, feeling lightheaded
• Cough sore throat, runny nose
• Flu like symptoms: feeling cold, hot or weak, muscle ache/spasm
• Changes to appetite
• Irritability, excessive thirst/dry mouth
• Night sweats, excessive sweating

General pain

• Muscles, joints, hands, or feet, muscle spasm

Kidney problems

• More frequent urination or urinary tract infections

Abdominal problems

• Vomiting, minor tummy pain
• Constipation

Limb problems

• Nail disorders and pain
• Swelling in the arms, legs, or other part of the body
• Pain, tingling, loss or feeling or weakness in hands/feet
• Inflammation of the nerves which can result in pain, numbness, muscle weakness and paralysis of the arms and legs (Guillain-Barre syndrome)

Speak to your doctor if you have any of these side effects and they worry you. If these side effects become severe, please tell your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare provider.

Serious TAFINLAR + MEKINIST side effects

Serious side effects include difficulty breathing or wheezing, trouble swallowing, swollen hands, feet, or face; chest pain, severe tummy pain, less wee than normal, changes to colour of moles, fever, unexplained bleeding, vision changes, confusion, decreased urine output, muscle spasms or irregular heartbeat.

Signs of infection

• Fever, chills, sore throat, painful bumps in your mouth (ulcers)

Bleeding problems

• Bloody poo or vomit, coughing up blood, nosebleeds
• Sudden bleeding/bruising

Kidney problems

• Less wee when going to the toilet
• Unexplained drowsiness, confusion, or feeling sick
• Red-brown wee or pain when going to the toilet
• Fluid buildup e.g., swollen legs

Skin problems

• Severe rash, blisters on the eyes or lips, peeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Unusual skin changes or changes to the colour of moles

Tummy problems

• Severe, sudden tummy pain or cramps

Eye problems

• Loss of blurred vision, flashing light sensation, red eyes

Heart problems

• Tightness in chest, fast heart-rate, flushing or bluish skin
• Slow heart rate
• Irregular heartbeat

Breathing problems

• Painful or troubled breathing
• Chest pain

Signs of allergic reaction

• Trouble breathing/swallowing, dizziness, swelling of face, throat or tongue, itchy rash, wheezing

Call your doctor straight away or go straight to the Emergency Department (at your nearest hospital) if you notice any of these serious side effects.

Fever

Experiencing multiple symptoms

If you experience multiple symptoms such as irregular heartbeat, decrease in urine output, confusion, severe nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, muscle cramps or spasms at the same time, tell your doctor straight away. These may be signs of tumour lysis syndrome (TLS), a condition resulting from a fast breakdown of cancer cells.

Potential interactions with other medications

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements, or alternative medicines.

Some medicines may affect how TAFINLAR or MEKINIST work or make it more likely that you will have side effects. TAFINLAR + MEKINIST can also affect how some other medicines work.
Please refer to the TAFINLAR + MEKINIST Consumer Medicine Information leaflets for more information regarding potential interactions of TAFINLAR or MEKINIST with other medications.

Driving and using machines

TAFINLAR + MEKINIST can have side effects that may affect your ability to drive or use machines. Avoid driving or using machines if you have problems with your vision, if you feel tired or weak, or if your energy levels are low.

Your oncologist or oncology nurse is the best person to give you advice on your treatment.

The information on this website has been adapted from the TAFINLAR and MEKINIST Consumer Medicine Information. Consumer Medicine Information is available from: www.novartis.com/au-en/products/consumer-information

 ▼ This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring in Australia. This will allow for quick identification of new safety information. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse events at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

©2026 Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Limited 
ABN 18 004 244 160. Level 25, 155 Miller Street North Sydney, NSW 2060. AU-30486. Ward7 NOIM37158M. June 2026.

References: 

1. Cancer Australia. Lung cancer in Australia statistics. www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/lung-cancer/lung-cancer-australia-statistics (accessed June 2026).
2. TAFINLAR Australian approved Consumer Medicine Information.
3. MEKINIST Australian approved Consumer Medicine Information.