cotellic
Pharmaranks rates Cotellic 3.5/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Cotellic (Cobimetinib Fumarate) is a kinase inhibitor used to treat Melanoma.
Cobimetinib Fumarate · by Genentech Inc
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Cobimetinib Fumarate
- Drug class
- Kinase Inhibitor
- Form
- Tablet
- Strength
- Cobimetinib Fumarate EQ 20MG Base
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- melanoma
- Manufacturer
- Genentech Inc
- FDA application
- NDA206192
What is Cotellic?
From the FDA label:Cobimetinib fumarate is a kinase inhibitor. The chemical name is ( S )-[3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl] [3-hydroxy-3-(piperidin-2-yl)azetidin-1-yl]methanone hemifumarate. It has a molecular formula C 46 H 46 F 6 I 2 N 6 O 8 (2 C 21 H 21 F 3 IN 3 O 2 ∙ C 4 H 4 O 4 ) with a molecular mass of 1178.71 as a fumarate salt. Cobimetinib fumarate has the following chemical structure: Cobimetinib is a fumarate salt appearing as white to off-white solid and exhibits a pH dependent solubility. COTELLIC (cobimetinib) tablets are supplied as white, round, film-coated 20 mg tablets for oral administration, debossed on one side with "COB". Each 20 mg tablet contains 22 mg of cobimetinib fumarate, which corresponds to 20 mg of the cobimetinib free base. The inactive ingredients of COTELLIC are: Tablet Core: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate. Coating: polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol 3350, talc. Chemical Structure
How to use
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 Pharmacology (12.3) ] . If a dose of COTELLIC is missed or if vomiting occurs when the dose is taken, resume dosing with the next scheduled dose. 2.3 Dose Modifications Concurrent CYP3A Inhibitors Do not take strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors while taking COTELLIC. If concurrent short term (14 days or less) use of moderate CYP3A inhibitors is unavoidable for patients who are taking COTELLIC 60 mg, reduce COTELLIC dose to 20…
Side effects
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,…
Warnings
Important safety information
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. The safety of COTELLIC has not been established in patients with decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Evaluate LVEF before treatment, after one month of treatment, then every 3 months thereafter during treatment with COTELLIC. ( 5.3 , 2.3 ) Severe Dermatologic Reactions : Monitor for severe skin rashes. Interrupt, reduce, or discontinue COTELLIC. ( 5.4 , 2.3 ) Serous Retinopathy and Retinal Vein Occlusion : Perform an ophthalmological evaluation at regular intervals and for any visual disturbances. Permanently discontinue COTELLIC for retinal vein occlusion (RVO). ( 5.5 , 2.3 ) Hepatotoxicity : Monitor liver laboratory tests during treatment and as clinically indicated. ( 5.6 , 2.3 ) Rhabdomyolysis : Monitor creatine phosphokinase periodically and as clinically indicated for signs and symptoms of rhabdomyolysis. ( 5.7 , 2.3 ) Severe Photosensitivity : Advise patients to avoid sun exposure. ( 5.8 , 2.3 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity : Can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. ( 5.9 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) 5.1 New Primary Malignancies New primary malignancies, cutaneous and non-cutaneous, can occur with COTELLIC. Cutaneous Malignancies : In Trial 1, the following cutaneous malignancies or premalignant conditions occurred in the COTELLIC with vemurafenib arm and the vemurafenib arm, respectively: cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC) or keratoacanthoma (KA) (6% and 20%), basal cell carcinoma (4.5% and 2.4%), and second primary melanoma (0.8% and 2.4%). Among patients receiving COTELLIC with vemurafenib, the median time to detection of first cuSCC/KA was 4 months (range: 2 to 11 months), and the median time to detection of basal cell carcinoma was 4 months (range: 27 days to 13 months). The time to onset in the two patients with second primary melanoma was 9 months and 12 months. Perform dermatologic evaluations prior to initiation of therapy and every 2 months while on therapy. Manage suspicious skin lesions with excision and dermatopathologic evaluation. No dose modifications are recommended for COTELLIC [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . Conduct dermatologic monitoring for 6 months following discontinuation of COTELLIC when administered with vemurafenib. Non-Cutaneous Malignancies : Based on its mechanism of action, vemurafenib may promote growth and development of malignancies [refer to the Full Prescribing Information for vemurafenib] . In Trial 1, 0.8% of patients in the COTELLIC with vemurafenib arm and 1.2% of patients in the vemurafenib arm developed non-cutaneous malignancies. Monitor patients receiving COTELLIC, when administered with vemurafenib, for signs or symptoms of non-cutaneous malignancies. 5.2 Hemorrhage Hemorrhage, including major hemorrhages defined as symptomatic bleeding in a critical area or organ, can occur with COTELLIC. In Trial 1, the incidence of Grade 3–4 hemorrhages was 1.2% in patients receiving COTELLIC with vemurafenib and 0.8% in patients receiving vemurafenib. Hemorrhage (all grades) was 13% in patients receiving COTELLIC with vemurafenib and 7% in patients receiving vemurafenib. Cerebral hemorrhage occurred in 0.8% of patients receiving COTELLIC with vemurafenib and in none of the patients receiving vemurafenib. Gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage (3.6% vs 1.2%), reproductive system hemorrhage (2.0% vs 0.4%), and hematuria (2.4% vs 0.8%) also occurred at a higher incidence in patients receiving COTELLIC with vemurafenib compared with patients receiving vemurafenib. In Trial 2, in patients with histiocytic neoplasms, 19% of patients experienced hemorrhage events (all were of grade 1 severity). Withhold COTELLIC for Grade 3 hemorrhagic events. If improved to Grade 0 or 1 within 4 weeks, resume COTELLIC at a lower dose level. Discontinue COTELLIC for Grade 4 hemorrhagic events and any Grade 3 hemorrhagic events that do not improve [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . 5.3 Cardiomyopathy Cardiomyopathy, defined as symptomatic and asymptomatic decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), can occur with COTELLIC. The safety of COTELLIC has not been established in patients with a baseline LVEF that is either below institutional lower limit of normal (LLN) or below 50%. In Trial 1, patients were assessed for decreases in LVEF by echocardiograms or MUGA at baseline, Week 5, Week 17, Week 29, Week 43, and then every 4 to 6 months thereafter while receiving treatment. Grade 2 or 3 decrease in LVEF occurred in 26% of patients receiving COTELLIC with vemurafenib and 19% of patients receiving vemurafenib. The median time to first onset of LVEF decrease was 4 months (range 23 days to 13 months). Of the patients with decreased LVEF, 22% had dose interruption and/or reduction and 14% required permanent discontinuation. Decreased LVEF resolved to above the LLN or within 10% of baseline in 62% of patients receiving COTELLIC with a median time to resolution of 3 months (range: 4 days to 12 months). In Trial 2, in patients with histiocytic neoplasms, 8% of patients experienced grade 2 ejection fraction decreased and 12% experienced grade 3-4 events. The median time to first onset of LVEF decrease was 29 days (range 22 days to 114 days). Of the patients with decreased LVEF, all had dose interruption and/or reduction and none required permanent discontinuation. Decreased LVEF resolved to above the LLN or within 10% of baseline in 60% of patients receiving COTELLIC with a median time to resolution of 31 days (range: 13 days to 126 days). Evaluate LVEF prior to initiation, 1 month after initiation, and every 3 months thereafter until discontinuation of COTELLIC. Manage events of left ventricular dysfunction through treatment interruption, reduction, or discontinuation [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . In patients restarting COTELLIC after a dose reduction or interruption, evaluate LVEF at approximately 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 10 weeks, and 16 weeks, and then as clinically indicated. 5.4 Severe Dermatologic Reactions Severe rash and other skin reactions can occur with COTELLIC. In Trial 1, Grade 3 to 4 rash, occurred in 16% of patients receiving COTELLIC with vemurafenib and in 17% of patients receiving vemurafenib, including Grade 4 rash in 1.6% of patients receiving COTELLIC with vemurafenib and 0.8% of the patients receiving vemurafenib. The incidence of rash resulting in hospitalization was 3.2% in patients receiving COTELLIC with vemurafenib and 2.0% in patients receiving vemurafenib. In patients receiving COTELLIC, the median time to onset of Grade 3 or 4 rash events was 11 days (range: 3 days to 2.8 months). Among patients with Grade 3 or 4 rash events, 95% experienced complete resolution with the median time to resolution of 21 days (range 4 days to 17 months). In Trial 2, in patients with histiocytic neoplasms, 81% of patients experienced rash events (all were of grade 1-2 severity). Interrupt, reduce the dose, or discontinue COTELLIC [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ]. 5.5 Serous Retinopathy and Retinal Vein Occlusion Ocular toxicities can occur with COTELLIC, including serous retinopathy (fluid accumulation under layers of the retina). In Trial 1, ophthalmologic examinations including retinal evaluation were performed pretreatment and at regular intervals during treatment. Symptomatic and asymptomatic serous retinopathy was identified…
Who should not take Cotellic
None. None. ( 4 )
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
There is no information on overdosage of COTELLIC.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
Avoid concomitant administration of COTELLIC with strong or moderate CYP3A inducers or inhibitors. ( 2.3 , 7.1 , 7.2 ) 7.1 Effect of Strong or Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors on COTELLIC Coadministration of COTELLIC with itraconazole (a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor) increased cobimetinib systemic exposure by 6.7-fold. Avoid concurrent use of COTELLIC and strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors. If concurrent short term (14 days or less) use of moderate CYP3A inhibitors including certain antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, ciprofloxacin) is unavoidable for patients who are taking COTELLIC 60 mg, reduce COTELLIC dose to 20 mg. After discontinuation of a moderate CYP3A inhibitor, resume COTELLIC at the previous dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Use an alternative to a strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitor in patients who are taking a reduced dose of COTELLIC (40 or 20 mg daily) [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.2 Effect of Strong or Moderate CYP3A Inducers on COTELLIC Coadministration of COTELLIC with a strong CYP3A inducer may decrease cobimetinib systemic exposure by more than 80% and reduce its efficacy. Avoid concurrent use of COTELLIC and strong or moderate CYP3A inducers including but not limited to carbamazepine, efavirenz, phenytoin, rifampin, and St. John's Wort [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
Drug class
How this class works, per Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
See how Cotellic ranks — best-rated kinase inhibitor for:
Dosage forms
Tablet
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Cotellic treat?
- Cotellic (Cobimetinib Fumarate) may be used to treat melanoma, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How does Cotellic work?
- Cotellic is a kinase inhibitor. Kinase inhibitors block protein kinases, the enzymes that relay 'grow and divide' signals inside cells. By shutting down the overactive kinase signals that a tumor depends on, they help slow or stop cancer cells from multiplying.
- How is Cotellic rated?
- pharmaranks gives Cotellic a composite score of 3.5 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Cotellic?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Cotellic. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Cotellic?
- Cotellic is marketed by Genentech Inc. You can see Genentech Inc's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Cotellic a brand-name or generic drug?
- Cotellic is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Cobimetinib Fumarate.
- Is Cotellic available over the counter?
- No. Cotellic is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Cotellic come in?
- Cotellic is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Cotellic?
- Cotellic is classified as kinase inhibitor, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Cotellic FDA-registered?
- Cotellic is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA206192. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Cotellic been recalled by the FDA?
- Yes. Cotellic has 1 recorded FDA recall event in the openFDA enforcement database. A recall removes specific lots from the market — usually for manufacturing, contamination, potency, or labeling issues — and does not mean the drug is unsafe to take; your specific lot was almost certainly never affected. This recall history is factored into its safety score above. Always check the FDA recall database or your pharmacist for current alerts.
- Is Cotellic safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Cotellic a recall-safety score of 70/100, based on its FDA recall history (1 recorded recall event) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Cotellic?
- Cotellic's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: 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 Reaction… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
What people report to the FDA about COBIMETINIB FUMARATE
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 3 reports naming COBIMETINIB FUMARATE — the active ingredient in Cotellic, and the FDA flagged 100% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- acrochordon1 reports
- atrial fibrillation1 reports
- diarrhoea1 reports
- dizziness1 reports
- dyspepsia1 reports
- ejection fraction decreased1 reports
- headache1 reports
- malignant melanoma1 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean COBIMETINIB FUMARATE caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved September 25, 2026.
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cotellic
70/100