Cobimetinib Tablets
What is this medication?
COBIMETINIB (KOE bi ME ti nib) treats skin cancer. It may also be used to treat blood and bone marrow cancers. It works by blocking a protein that causes cancer cells to grow and multiply. This helps to slow or stop the spread of cancer cells.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Cotellic
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- Bleeding disorder
- Eye disease
- Heart disease
- Liver disease
- Muscle injury
- Skin conditions
- An unusual or allergic reaction to cobimetinib, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- Breast-feeding
How should I use this medication?
Take this medication by mouth. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop. There may be unused or extra doses in the bottle after you finish the dosing cycle. Talk to your care team if you have questions about your dose. Your care team may change your dose or tell you to stop taking this medication if you get side effects. Do not change your dose or stop taking it unless your care team tells you to.
Do not take this medication with grapefruit juice.
This medication is taken in "cycles." There will be days you do not take it. Talk to your care team if you have questions about when to take your medication. It is very important to follow the exact schedule. Taking it more often than directed can cause serious side effects.
Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, skip it. Take your next dose at the normal time. Do not take extra or 2 doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose.
What may interact with this medication?
- Certain antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin and erythromycin
- Certain medications for fungal infections, such as ketoconazole and itraconazole
- Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
- Efavirenz
- Grapefruit juice
- Rifampin
- St. John's Wort
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular check on your progress. It may be some time before you see the benefit from this medication.
You may need bloodwork done while taking this medication.
Your care team may tell you to stop taking this medication if you develop muscle problems. If your muscle problems do not go away after stopping this medication, contact your care team.
This medication can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
Talk to your care team about your risk of cancer. You may be more at risk for cancer if you take this medication.
Your vision may be tested before and during use of this medication. Tell your care team right away if you have any change in your eyesight.
Do not become pregnant while taking this medication or for 2 weeks after stopping it. Talk to your care team if you or your partner wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 2 weeks after stopping it. Talk to your care team about effective forms of contraception.
Do not breast-feed while taking this medication or for 2 weeks after stopping it.
This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds, red or dark brown urine, small red or purple spots on skin, unusual bruising or bleeding
- Blurry vision, vision loss, seeing wavy or bent objects or blind spots with dark, light, or flashing spots
- Heart failure—shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Muscle injury—unusual weakness or fatigue, muscle pain, dark yellow or brown urine, decrease in amount of urine
- Sensitivity to light
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Nausea
- Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
- Vomiting
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medication?
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:
- Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
- If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
Additional Information From Chemocare.com About Cobimetinib
Self-Care Tips:
- Drink at least two to three quarts of fluid every 24 hours, unless you are instructed otherwise.
- If you should experience nausea, take anti-nausea medications as prescribed by your doctor, and eat small frequent meals. Sucking on lozenges and chewing gum may also help.
- Avoid sun exposure. When you go outside wear clothes that protect your skin, including your head, face, hands, arms, and legs. Use lip balm and wear SPF 30 (or higher) sun block.
- In general, drinking alcoholic beverages should be kept to a minimum or avoided completely. You should discuss this with your doctor.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Maintain good nutrition.
- Cobimetinib can cause visual changes, dizziness and tiredness. If you have any of these symptoms, use caution when driving a car, using machinery, or anything that requires you to be alert and make sure your provider is aware.
- If you experience symptoms or side effects, be sure to discuss them with your health care team. They can prescribe medications and/or offer other suggestions that are effective in managing such problems.
When to contact your doctor or health care provider:
Contact your health care provider immediately, day or night, if you should experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever of 100.4° F (38° or higher, chills)
Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
The following symptoms require medical attention, but are not an emergency. Contact your health care provider within 24 hours of noticing any of the following:
- Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a 24-hour period)
- Nausea (interferes with ability to eat and unrelieved with prescribed medication)
- Vomiting (vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24 hour period)
- Unable to eat or drink for 24 hours or have signs of dehydration: tiredness, thirst, dry mouth, dark and decrease amount of urine, or dizziness
- Any sudden change in eyesight (blurred or distorted vision, halos, partly missing vision)
- Sudden onset of shortness of breath, accompanied by cough and/or fever
- Skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow
- Urine turns dark or brown (tea color)
- Muscle aches, spasms or weakness
- Decrease appetite
- Stomach pain
- Bleed or bruise more easily than normal
- Red or black stools that look like tar
- Blood in urine
- Headache, dizziness or feeling weak
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Increased heartbeat
- Persistent coughing or wheezing
- Shortness or breath
- Swelling of your ankles or feet
- Thickened, dry, wrinkled skin
- Change in color or size of a mole
- Any skin change, irritation, itching or rash
- Report a new wart, skin sore or reddish bump that bleeds or does not heal or a change in size or color of a mole
Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms
