Cotellic

What is Cotellic used for?

• Cotellic is used to treat a type of skin cancer (melanoma).

Before taking Cotellic, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to Cotellic; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with Cotellic, like certain drugs that are used for HIV, infections, or seizures. There are many drugs that must not be taken with Cotellic.
• If you are taking St. John's wort. Do not take St. John's wort with Cotellic. This medicine may not work as well.
• If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take Cotellic and for 2 weeks after your last dose.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Cotellic with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Cotellic?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Cotellic. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• This medicine is used with vemurafenib. Talk with the doctor about the risks and side effects that may happen with vemurafenib.
• This medicine may add to the chance of getting some types of cancer. Talk with the doctor.
• You will need to have a skin exam before you start Cotellic and every 2 months while you take it. You will also need to do monthly skin checks as told by your doctor.
• Have an eye exam as you have been told by your doctor.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• You may get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun.
• High blood pressure has happened with Cotellic. Have your blood pressure checked as you have been told by your doctor.
• This medicine may cause heart failure. You will need to have your heart function checked while taking Cotellic. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of heart problems like a cough or shortness of breath that is new or worse, swelling of the ankles or legs, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, weight gain of more than 5 pounds in 24 hours, dizziness, or passing out.
• A certain muscle problem (rhabdomyolysis) has happened with Cotellic. Rarely, this has led to organ problems and death. Call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain or weakness.
• This medicine may affect fertility. Fertility problems may lead to not being able to get pregnant or father a child.
• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking Cotellic and for at least 2 weeks after stopping the drug.
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant.
• If you get pregnant while taking Cotellic or within 2 weeks after your last dose, call your doctor right away.

How is Cotellic best taken?

Use Cotellic as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food.
• If you throw up after taking a dose, do not repeat the dose. Take your next dose at your normal time.
• Keep taking Cotellic as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are the side effects of Cotellic that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Signs of electrolyte problems like mood changes, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, seizures, not hungry, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Dizziness.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Stomach pain.
• Headache.
• A skin lump or growth.
• Change in eyesight, eye pain, or very bad eye irritation.
• Loss of eyesight.
• Seeing halos or bright colors around lights.
• Fever or chills.
• Sunburn.
• Skin irritation.
• Bumps, thick, dry, or wrinkled skin.
• Red, painful, or itchy skin that is hot to touch.
• Have your skin checked. Tell your doctor if you have any skin changes like a new wart, skin sore or reddish bump that bleeds or does not heal, or a change in the color or size of a mole.

What are some other side effects of Cotellic?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Diarrhea.
• Pimples (acne).
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Mouth irritation or mouth sores.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Cotellic?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer information use and disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about Cotellic, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take Cotellic or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Cotellic. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.