What is Everolimus?

Everolimus is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body.
Everolimus also lowers your body’s immune system. The immune system helps your body fight infections. The immune system can also fight or “reject” a transplanted organ such as a liver or kidney. This is because the immune system treats the new organ as an invader.
The Afinitor brand of everolimus is used to treat advanced kidney cancer. Afinitor is usually given after sorafenib (Nexavar) or sunitinib (Sutent) have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.
The Zortress brand of everolimus is used to prevent organ rejection after a kidney transplant. Zortress is used together with cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune) and other medications.
Everolimus may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Everolimus?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to everolimus, sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), or temsirolimus (Torisel), or if you have problems digesting lactose or galactose (sugar).
Do not use the Zortress brand of everolimus if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control while you are using Zortress and for at least 8 weeks after your treatment ends.
Before taking everolimus, tell your doctor if you have a breathing disorder such as asthma or COPD, liver disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a history of skin cancer.
Do not receive a “live” vaccine while using everolimus. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, typhoid, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin), and nasal flu vaccine.
There are many other drugs that can interact with everolimus. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.
To be sure this medicine is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your liver and kidney function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Everolimus?

a breathing disorder, such as asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
liver disease
diabetes
high cholesterol or triglycerides
a personal or family history of skin cancer (melanoma)

Taking everolimus may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer. Ask your doctor about your individual risk.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Afinitor will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Zortress if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control while you are using Zortress and for at least 8 weeks after your treatment ends.
This medication can affect fertility (your ability to have children), whether you are a man or a woman.
It is not known whether everolimus passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking everolimus.

Everolimus Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Everolimus?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; chest pain, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

fever, chills, cough with yellow or green mucus
stabbing chest pain, wheezing, feeling short of breath
pain in your stomach, groin, lower back or side,
swelling, rapid weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all
blood in your urine, dark colored urine, pain or burning when you urinate
pale skin, feeling light-headed, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating
easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin
redness, warmth, swelling, oozing, or slow healing of a wound or surgical incision
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; or
other signs of infection such as sore throat, flu symptoms, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, or unusual weakness

Less serious side effects may include:

tired feeling
headache, pain in your arms and legs
diarrhea
dry skin; or
sleep problems (insomnia)

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Everolimus Interactions

What other drugs affect Everolimus?

Many drugs can interact with everolimus. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

aprepitant (Emend)
dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol)
isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis)
rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), or rifapentine (Priftin)
St. John’s wort
an antidepressant such as nefazodone
other drugs that weaken your immune system
an antifungal medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), or voriconazole (Vfend)
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), rifapentine (Priftin), or telithromycin (Ketek)
a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton)
heart or blood pressure medication such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), quinidine (Quin-G), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others
HIV medication such as delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz efavirenz (Sustiva), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Kaletra, Norvir), or saquinavir (Invirase); or
seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenytoin (Dilantin), or primidone (Mysoline)

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with everolimus. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

What should I avoid while taking Everolimus?

Do not receive a “live” vaccine while using everolimus. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, typhoid, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin), and nasal flu vaccine.
Everolimus may increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with everolimus and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

Everolimus Dosage

How should I take Everolimus?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.
Everolimus should be taken at the same time each day. You may take everolimus with or without food, but take it the same way each time. If you also take cyclosporine, take both medications at the same time.
Take this medication with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush or chew.
The medicine from a crushed pill can be dangerous if it gets in your eyes, mouth, or nose, or on your skin. If this occurs, wash your skin with soap and water or rinse your eyes with water. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to safely handle and dispose of a crushed tablet.
Everolimus can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your liver and kidney function will also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.
Store at room temperature in the original container, away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep each tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it.

What happens if I overdose on Everolimus?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What happens if I miss a dose of Everolimus?

If you are less than 6 hours late in taking your medicine, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com

Everolimus