Cosela

Cosela (trilaciclib) is typically injected into the veins by a healthcare provider on your chemotherapy treatment days. In general, it's a 30-minute infusion that's given within 4 hours before chemotherapy. Your Cosela (trilaciclib) dose depends on your body surface area (BSA), which is your body size calculated based on weight and height. Your provider will determine the dose you need before each infusion.

One of the more common side effects of Cosela (trilaciclib) is an injection site reaction. These reactions can happen anytime during your infusion and up to 15 days after your dose. Your provider will observe you for any signs of swollen veins or redness at the injection site during treatment to make sure this medication is safe for you. Tell your provider right away if you notice any swelling, pain, redness, tenderness, itchy skin, or skin that feels warm to the touch after receiving Cosela (trilaciclib). Other common side effects include fatigue, headache, belly pain, and high blood sugar. Talk with your provider if you have any concerns about receiving Cosela (trilaciclib).

Rarely, Cosela (trilaciclib) can cause allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. In addition, rare cases of lung problems, such as pneumonitis (lung inflammation) or interstitial lung disease (ILD; scarring of the lungs), have occurred in people given kinase inhibitors like Cosela (trilaciclib). Before receiving Cosela (trilaciclib), let your provider know if you have a history of lung problems. During your infusion, your provider will watch for signs and symptoms of allergic reactions and breathing problems to make sure this medication is safe for you. Tell your provider right away if you experience signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction — like hives, itching, flushed or pale skin, trouble breathing, swollen face, dizziness, or fainting. Also contact your provider if you experience shortness of breath, cough, or tiredness, which can be symptoms of lung problems.

You should be careful about receiving Cosela (trilaciclib) if you have a history of liver problems. This medication can raise your liver protein levels, which your provider uses to check the health of your liver. Before starting Cosela (trilaciclib), let your provider know if you've ever had liver problems before so they can decide whether this medication is safe for you.

You shouldn't receive Cosela (trilaciclib) if you're pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. Cosela (trilaciclib) can cause harm to your unborn baby if you're pregnant. Before your first infusion, your provider might ask you to get a pregnancy test done to make sure this medication is safe for you. Once you start treatment with Cosela (trilaciclib), make sure to use an effective form of birth control, such as birth control pills, during treatment and for 3 weeks after your last dose. This will help prevent pregnancy during treatment. Based on animal studies, it’s possible that Cosela (trilaciclib) might lower your ability to have children during treatment if you're female. Since animal studies don’t always represent what happens in humans, discuss with your provider about any family planning concerns you might have. It's also not clear whether Cosela (trilaciclib) is safe while breastfeeding. But since the medication carries a risk of serious side effects that might affect breastfed babies, it's recommended that you don't give your baby breast milk during Cosela (trilaciclib) treatment and for 3 weeks after your last dose. Ask your provider about other ways to feed your baby.