General MedicinePrescription OnlyPregnancy Cat. Not classifiedFDA Yes
Cotellic
COBIMETINIB
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE COTELLIC ® is a kinase inhibitor indicated: For the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation, in combination with vemurafenib. ( 1.1 , 14.1 ) As a single agent for the treatment of adult patients with histiocytic neoplasms. ( 1.2 , 14.2 ) 1.1 Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma COTELLIC ® is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutat...
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Brand names:Cotellic
Quick Reference
Medicine ClassGeneral Medicine
FDA ApprovedYes
PregnancyCategory Not classified
Quick Facts
- Active ingredient
- COBIMETINIB
- Medicine class
- General Medicine
- Brand names
- Cotellic
- Availability
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Pregnancy category
- Not classified
- Half-life
- half-life (t 1/2 ) was 44 (range: 23–70) hours and the mean apparent clearance (CL/F) was 13
- FDA approved
- Yes
What Is Cotellic?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE COTELLIC ® is a kinase inhibitor indicated: For the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation, in combination with vemurafenib. ( 1.1 , 14.1 ) As a single agent for the treatment of adult patients with histiocytic neoplasms. ( 1.2 , 14.2 ) 1.1 Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma COTELLIC ® is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutat...
Cotellic (COBIMETINIB) belongs to the General Medicine class of medications. It was first approved by the FDA in Yes. This medication requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Key Safety Information
- •Always follow the dose recommended by your healthcare professional. Taking more than prescribed increases the risk of side effects including serious complications.
- •Seek emergency care if you experience signs of an allergic reaction — hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or rash. Stop the medication and call your doctor immediately.
- •Some medications can increase the risk of cardiovascular events. Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, a history of heart attack or stroke, or any pre-existing health condition.
- •Avoid or limit alcohol while taking Cotellic. Do not drink alcohol without first discussing it with your healthcare provider as it may increase adverse effects.
- •Take Cotellic with food or a full glass of water if stomach upset occurs. Stop use and talk to your doctor if you experience persistent stomach pain or GI symptoms.
- •Tell your doctor about all medications, supplements, and vitamins you take. Some combinations significantly increase the risk of harm.
This is a summary only. Always read the full prescribing information and consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.
Uses & Indications
Cotellic is prescribed for the following conditions. Some uses are FDA-approved indications; others may be evidence-based off-label uses. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE COTELLIC ® is a kinase inhibitor indicated: For the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation, in combination with vemurafenib.
( 1.1 , 14.1 ) As a single agent for the treatment of adult patients with histiocytic neoplasms.
( 1.2 , 14.2 ) 1.1 Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma COTELLIC ® is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation, in combination with vemurafenib.
1.2 Histiocytic Neoplasms COTELLIC®, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with histiocytic neoplasms.
Dosage Guide
The following are general dosing guidelines only. Your actual dose should be determined by your healthcare provider based on your condition, renal/hepatic function, and other medications.
AD
Adult Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Confirm the presence of BRAF V600E or V600K mutation in tumor specimens prior to initiation of COTELLIC with vemurafenib for patients with melanoma. ( 2.1 ) The recommended dose is 60 mg orally once daily for the first 21 days of each 28-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Take COTELLIC with or without food. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Patient Selection for Treatment of Melanoma Confirm the presence of BRAF V600E or V600K mutation in tumor specimens prior to initiation of treatment with COTELLIC with vemurafenib. Information on FDA-approved tests for the detection of BRAF V600 mutations in melanoma is available at: http://www.fda.gov/CompanionDiagnostics . 2.2 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage regimen of COTELLIC is 60 mg (three 20 mg tablets) orally taken once daily for the first 21 days of each 28-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Take COTELLIC with or without food [see Clinical Ph
Available Forms
Available Strengths
Side Effects
Common
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label: New Primary Cutaneous Malignancies [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Cardiomyopathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Serious Dermatologic Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Serous Retinopathy and Retinal Vein Occlusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Rhabdomyolysis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Severe Photosensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma: Most common adverse reactions for COTELLIC (≥20%) are diarrhea, photosensitivity reaction, nausea, pyrexia, and vomiting.
- The most common (≥5%) Grade 3-4 laboratory abnormalities are increased GGT, increased CPK, hypophosphatemia, increased ALT, lymphopenia, increased AST, increased alkaline phosphatase, hyponatremia.
- ( 6.1 ) Histiocytic neoplasms: Most common adverse reactions (≥20%) are acneiform dermatitis, diarrhea, infection, fatigue, nausea, edema, dry skin, maculopapular rash, pruritus, dyspepsia, vomiting, dyspnea and urinary tract infections.
- The most common (≥5%) grade 3-4 lab abnormalities include: Hyponatremia, increased blood creatine phosphokinase, hypokalemia, increased blood creatinine, increased AST, hypocalcemia, lymphopenia, leukopenia, anemia ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Genentech at 1-888-835-2555 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
- 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
- Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma The safety of COTELLIC was evaluated in Trial 1, a randomized (1:1), double-blind, active-controlled trial in previously untreated patients with BRAF V600 mutation-positive, unresectable or metastatic melanoma [see Clinical Studies (14) ] .
- All patients received vemurafenib 960 mg twice daily on Days 1–28 and received either COTELLIC 60 mg once daily (n=247) or placebo (n=246) on Days 1–21 of each 28-day treatment cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Serious
- 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Review the Full Prescribing Information for vemurafenib for information on the serious risks of vemurafenib.
- New primary malignancies, cutaneous and non-cutaneous : Monitor patients for new malignancies prior to initiation of therapy, while on therapy, and for up to 6 months following the last dose of COTELLIC.
- ( 5.1 ) Hemorrhage : Major hemorrhagic events can occur with COTELLIC.
- Monitor for signs and symptoms of bleeding.
- ( 5.2 , 2.3 ) Cardiomyopathy : The risk of cardiomyopathy is increased in patients receiving COTELLIC with vemurafenib compared with vemurafenib as a single agent.
Rare
Medicine Interactions
Always inform your healthcare provider and pharmacist about ALL medications you take, including prescriptions, OTC medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
MajorModerateMinor
Warnings & Contraindications
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Review the Full Prescribing Information for vemurafenib for information on the serious risks of vemurafenib. New primary malignancies, cutaneous and non-cutaneous : Monitor patients for new malignancies prior to initiation of therapy, while on therapy, and for up to 6 months following the last dose of COTELLIC. ( 5.1 ) Hemorrhage : Major hemorrhagic events can occur with
How Cotellic Works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Cobimetinib is a reversible inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 (MEK1) and MEK2. MEK proteins are upstream regulators of the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) pathway, which promotes cellular proliferation. BRAF V600E and K mutations result in constitutive activation of the BRAF pathway which includes MEK1 and MEK2. In mice implanted with tumor cell lines expressing BRAF V600E, cobimetinib inhibited tumor cell growth. Cobimetinib and vemurafenib target two different kinases in the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway. Compared to either drug alone, coadministration of cobimetinib and vemurafenib resulted in increased apoptosis in vitro and reduced tumor growth in mouse implantation models of tumor cell lines harbo
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Absorption Following oral dosing of 60 mg once daily in cancer patients, the median time to achieve peak plasma levels (T max ) was 2
Half-Life
half-life (t 1/2 ) was 44 (range: 23–70) hours and the mean apparent clearance (CL/F) was 13
Metabolism
Metabolism CYP3A oxidation and UGT2B7 glucuronidation were the major pathways of cobimetinib metabolism in vitro
Excretion
Excretion Following oral administration of a single 20 mg radiolabeled cobimetinib dose, 76% of the dose was recovered in the feces (with 6
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safety
Not classified
Breastfeeding
Many medications pass into breast milk in varying amounts. Before using Cotellicwhile breastfeeding, discuss the benefits and risks with your healthcare provider or pharmacist — they can weigh your dose, your infant's age, and available lactation safety data to find the safest option for you and your baby.
Storage & Handling
Storage and Stability: Store at room temperature below 30°C (86°F).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Adult, pediatric, renal, and hepatic dosing for Cotellic
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Cotellic side effects
Complete adverse effect profile including common, serious, and rare reactions
Sources & References
- • FDA Prescribing Information — Official labeling and package insert for Cotellic
- • U.S. National Library of Medicine — MedlinePlus drug information
- • American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS) — Clinical pharmacology monograph
- • PubMed / MEDLINE — View clinical studies
Last reviewed by MedCentralHub Medical Review Board · MedCentralHub Editorial Policy
Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.