Afinitor

Afinitor

Generic Name: everolimus (Afinitor) (E ver OH li mus (a FIN i tor))

Brand Names: Afinitor

What is Afinitor?

Afinitor (everolimus) is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body.

Afinitor 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.

Afinitor is also used to treat a rare genetic disorder called subependymal giant cell astrocytoma.

This medication guide provides information about the Afinitor brand of everolimus. Zortress is another brand of everolimus used to prevent organ rejection after a kidney transplant.

Afinitor may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Afinitor

Afinitor guide provides information about the Afinitor brand of everolimus. Zortress is another brand of everolimus used to prevent organ rejection after a kidney transplant.

You should not use Afinitor if you are allergic to everolimus, sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), or temsirolimus (Torisel). Do not use Afinitor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control while you are using Afinitor and for at least 8 weeks after your treatment ends.

Before taking Afinitor, tell your doctor if you have a breathing disorder such as asthma or COPD, liver disease, an active infection, diabetes or high blood sugar, high cholesterol, or a history of hepatitis B.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while taking Afinitor, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, typhoid, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guerin), and nasal flu vaccine.

There are many other drugs that can interact with Afinitor. 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 kidney function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

Before taking Afinitor

You should not use Afinitor if you are allergic to everolimus, sirolimus (Rapamune), tacrolimus (Prograf), or temsirolimus (Torisel).

To make sure you can safely take Afinitor, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

a breathing disorder, such as asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease);

liver disease;

an active infection;

diabetes or high blood sugar;

high cholesterol; or

a history of hepatitis B.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not take Afinitor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control while you are taking Afinitor and for at least 8 weeks after your treatment ends.

See also: Afinitor pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

Afinitor 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 Afinitor.

How should I take Afinitor?

Take Afinitor 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.

Afinitor should be taken at the same time each day. You may take Afinitor with or without food, but take it the same way each time.

Take this medication with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Do not crush or chew an Afinitor tablet. Swallow the pill whole.

Afinitor 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 kidney function will also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you have hepatitis B you may develop liver symptoms after you stop taking Afinitor, even months after stopping. Your doctor may want to check your liver function for several months after you stop using Afinitor. Visit your doctor regularly.

Store Afinitor 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.

See also: Afinitor dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

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

What should I avoid while taking Afinitor?

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while taking Afinitor, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, typhoid, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guerin), and nasal flu vaccine.

Grapefruit, grapefruit juice, starfruit, and Seville oranges may interact with Afinitor and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Avoid using these products while you are taking Afinitor.

Afinitor side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Afinitor: 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:

new or worsening cough, feeling short of breath;

wheezing, trouble breathing;

stabbing chest pain, cough with yellow or green mucus;

white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

swelling, rapid weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all;

fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms;

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; or

nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

Less serious Afinitor side effects may include:

feeling weak or tired;

diarrhea, mild nausea or vomiting;

dry skin, mild itching or skin rash;

unusual taste in your mouth;

headache; or

pain in your arms and legs.

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.

See also: Afinitor side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Afinitor?

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

bosentan (Tracleer);

conivaptan (Vaprisol);

dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol);

imatinib (Gleevec);

isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);

rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), or rifapentine (Priftin);

St. John's wort;

an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek);

an antidepressant such as nefazodone;

antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), or voriconazole (Vfend);

a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton);

heart or blood pressure medication such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), quinidine (Quin-G), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);

HIV or AIDS medication such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Kaletra, Norvir);

medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), sirolimus (Rapamune), or tacrolimus (Prograf).

medicines to treat narcolepsy, such as armodafanil (Nuvigil) or modafanil (Progivil); 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 Afinitor. 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.

More Afinitor resources

Afinitor Side Effects (in More Detail)

Afinitor Dosage

Afinitor Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Drug Images

Afinitor Drug Interactions

Afinitor Support Group

1 Review for Afinitor - Add your own review/rating

Afinitor Prescribing Information (FDA)

Afinitor MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Afinitor Monograph (AHFS DI)

Afinitor Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Everolimus Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Zortress Prescribing Information (FDA)

Zortress MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Afinitor with other medications

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Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Afinitor.