Encorafenib
Brand names: Braftovi
Encorafenib is an oral BRAF kinase inhibitor used, in combination regimens, to treat BRAF V600-mutant melanoma and BRAF V600E-mutant colorectal cancer.
Adult dose
Dose adjustments
No dose adjustment is required in mild or moderate renal impairment (population PK analysis). There are no clinical data in severe renal impairment, so the potential need for dose adjustment cannot be determined - use with caution.
Dose independently re-sourced from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC; US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — clinician-reviewed. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to encorafenib or to any of the excipients
Side effects
- With binimetinib (450 mg group, >=25%): fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, myopathy/muscular disorders, arthralgia
- As single agent (300 mg, >=25%): hyperkeratosis, alopecia, palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome, rash, dry skin, pruritus
- With cetuximab in colorectal cancer (>25%): fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, dermatitis acneiform, abdominal pain, arthralgia/musculoskeletal pain, decreased appetite, rash, vomiting
- Haemorrhage, including major haemorrhagic events (risk may be increased with concomitant anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy)
- Ocular toxicities including uveitis, iritis and iridocyclitis; QTc prolongation; liver laboratory abnormalities; left ventricular dysfunction when used with binimetinib; new primary cutaneous and non-cutaneous malignancies
Interactions
- Strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors, including grapefruit juice: avoid concomitant use; if unavoidable, reduce the encorafenib dose (US label; UK SPC also advises avoiding grapefruit juice)
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers: avoid concomitant use - may decrease encorafenib plasma concentrations and efficacy (US label)
- Sensitive CYP3A4 substrates, including hormonal contraceptives: avoid concomitant use where a decrease in plasma concentration may reduce the substrate's efficacy - encorafenib may decrease the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives, so an additional or alternative barrier method is advised (US label; UK SPC section 4.6)
- Substrates of OATP1B1, OATP1B3 or BCRP: dose reductions of these drugs may be required during concomitant use (US label)
Clinical monograph
How it works
It inhibits mutant BRAF kinase within the MAPK signalling pathway, blocking the constitutive proliferative signalling driven by the BRAF V600 mutation.
Prescribing in practice
- It must be used only in tumours with a confirmed BRAF V600 mutation and is given in defined combinations (for example with a MEK inhibitor or with cetuximab) to improve efficacy and reduce paradoxical pathway activation.
- QT prolongation, hepatotoxicity and dermatological effects including new skin lesions can occur and require monitoring.
- It interacts with CYP3A4 substrates and inhibitors, so concomitant medicines should be reviewed against the SPC.
Monitoring
Monitor liver function, ECG for QT interval, and skin (including for new cutaneous malignancies) before and during treatment.
Counselling the patient
- Report any new skin lesions, lumps or changing moles to your team.
- Use sun protection, and tell your team about all other medicines you take.
Evidence & guidelines
Encorafenib combination therapy is supported by trial evidence (COLUMBUS in melanoma and BEACON CRC in colorectal cancer) and appraised by NICE within licensed indications.
Reference: NICE TA562; NICE TA668; ESMO; SmPC; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
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- PCSK9 Inhibitor Eligibility (NICE TA393 / TA394) · Lipid Management
- Breslow Thickness & Melanoma Staging · Melanoma
- Immune-Related Adverse Events (irAE) -- GI Toxicity Colitis Grading · Oncology-Related GI
- irAE Hepatitis Grading (CTCAE) · Immunotherapy
- DIPSS — Dynamic International Prognostic Scoring System for Myelofibrosis · Cancer Prognosis