Afinitor

Generic name: everolimus 
Brand name: Afinitor, Afinitor Disperz
Drug class: MTOR inhibitors, Selective immunosuppressants

What is Afinitor?

Afinitor( everolimus) is a cancer treatment that blocks the growth of cancerous cells and reduces their spread throughout the body.

Afinitor can be used for treating specific kinds of kidney cancer, breast cancer as well as brain tumors. It can also be used to treat specific types of tumors that are progressive or advanced in the stomach, intestinal tracts, or pancreas.

In addition, it is utilized to treat certain kinds of seizures or non-cancerous (benign) tumors of the kidney or brain in patients with the genetic disorder known as the tuberous sclerosis complex.

This guide to medication provides details on the Afinitor brand of everolimus. Zortress is the second brand of everolimus that is used to stop the rejection of organs following the procedure of a kidney transplant.¶

Warnings

In some cases, Afinitor may cause dangerous and often deadly adverse consequences. Consult your physician immediately when you notice symptoms of infection such as fever or chills, skin rash joint pain, fatigue or chest discomfort, wheezing or shortness of breath; kidney issues–swelling and a lack of or no urination, or liver issues–loss of appetite and dark urine, the skin turning yellow and eyes or stomach discomfort.

If you’ve had Hepatitis B, Afinitor can cause this condition to return or worsen.

It is possible to suffer the reaction in the event that you are taking an “ACE inhibitor” heart or blood pressure medication when using Afinitor. Discuss with your physician all the medications you are currently taking and the ones you are about to start or stop taking.

Before you start taking this medication inform your doctor whether you suffer from breathing disorders like asthma or COPD or liver disease (or an underlying previous history of Hepatitis B) or the presence of an infection or diabetes, high blood sugar as well as high cholesterol.

Don’t use everolimus if you’re expecting. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Make sure you use effective birth control when you’re using this medication as well for at minimum 8 weeks following the treatment has ended.

Before you start taking this medicine, make sure to consult your doctor

It is recommended not to take Afinitor if you are sensitive to any of the following: everolimus sirolimus ( Rapamune), or temsirolimus (Torisel).

To ensure that it is suitable for you, inform your doctor if you’ve ever experienced:

• An active or chronic illness;
• the liver condition particularly Hepatitis B;
• kidney disease;
• High blood sugar or diabetes;
• excessive cholesterol;
• If you are planning to be treated with any vaccination for example;
• hypertension.

In the case of the unborn baby as well as cause birth defects in the case that the father or mother is taking this medication.

• If you’re pregnant, do not use Afinitor in case there is a possibility of pregnancy. It is possible that you will need an unconfirmed pregnancy test prior to beginning this treatment. Utilize effective birth controls to avoid pregnancy while using this medicine, and up to 8 weeks following the last dose.
• If you’re male, use effective birth control if you are a partner with gender who can get pregnant. Use birth control for at most four weeks after the last dose.
• Contact your physician immediately when you notice a pregnancy during the time that both the mother and father are taking Afinitor.

This medication can impact the fertility (the ability for having children) of both women and men. However, it is essential to utilize birth control to stop pregnancy as it could harm a baby who is not yet born.

It is not recommended to breastfeeding while taking this medicine and for at least two weeks following your last dose.

How to take Afinitor?

Use Afinitor as directed by your physician. Follow the directions on your prescription label, and review all medication manuals or instructions sheets. Your doctor may modify your dosage.

Consume Afinitor at the exact time every day. You can take the medication with or without food but you should take it the same way each day.

Do not use a traditional tablet along with the dispersible tablet. Only use one type of this medication.

Take note of and follow the instructions for use that come along with your medication. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor If you don’t understand these directions.

The use of Invitro can increase the chances of getting a blood clot or an infection by altering the way your immune system operates. You’ll need regular medical tests.

If you’ve ever suffered from the virus hepatitis B treatment, Afinitor can trigger this virus to get active or worse. You could require a regular test of your liver’s function during the course of treatment and for a few months after the discontinuation.

The surgical incisions and other wounds could require a longer healing time during the time you’re taking Afinitor. You might have discontinued taking the medication for one week prior to and two weeks after the procedure. Follow the instructions of your doctor.

Keep at room temperatures inside the container that was used for storage away from heat, moisture, and light. Store tablets that have not been used inside the blister foil packs.

What if I don’t take a dose?

Utilize the medication as soon as you can. However, avoid your missed dose in the case are more than six hours late to take the dose. Do not take two doses at once.

If I take too much?

For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact toll-free the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid?

Do not get a “live” vaccine while using Afinitor or being in contact with someone who recently received an active vaccine. There is a possibility that the virus may be transmitted to you. The live vaccines are measles-rubella, mumps (MMR), and polio. Typhoid, rotavirus fever varicella (chickenpox), and the zoster ( shingles).

Grapefruit could interact with everolimus and cause adverse negative side effects. Beware of using grapefruit-related products.

If you experience mouth ulcers or sores Avoid using mouthwashes or applying medications that contain alcohol peroxide toxin or thyme. Your doctor may recommend an oral steroid if your mouth ulcers are serious.

Afinitor side effects

See a doctor immediately in the event that you show indications that indicate an allergy reaction Afinitor such as itching or chest pain and breathing difficulties or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue. It is possible to suffer from these symptoms if are taking some form of “ACE inhibitor” heart or blood pressure medication.

Contact your doctor immediately If you suffer from:

• the appearance of ulcers or blisters in your mouth, swollen or red gums, trouble swallowing
• lung conditions lung problems an increase or worsening of chest pain, cough wheezing, or feeling breathless;
• indications of infection: chills, fever, joint pain, tiredness, skin rash
• kidney issues Kidney problems very little or no urination; swelling of your ankles and feet;
• liver issues liver problems nausea and lack of appetite nausea, gastric discomfort (upper right) dark urine stool that is colored with clay, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin);
• Low blood cells count Low blood cell counts symptoms of flu skin sores, simple bleeding, unusual bruising thin skin cool hands as well as feet. Feeling lightheaded;
• any wound that does not heal,
• A surgical incision is hot, red swelling bleeding, painful or that oozes pus.

The treatment you receive for cancer could be delayed or completely stopped in the event of certain adverse side consequences.

Common side effects associated with Afinitor include:

• infection, fever, cough fatigue, or feeling weak;
• mouth sores;
• vomiting, loss of appetite;
• There is swelling everywhere in your body
• rash;
• the menstrual period that is not occurring;
• headache Or
• High blood sugar levels – more thirst, more frequency of urination, dry mouth, and the odor of the fruity breath.

This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects, and other effects may also be present. Contact your doctor to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other medications can impact Afinitor?

Discuss with your doctor the medicines you are currently taking. A variety of drugs can affect your Afinitor particularly:

• An anti-microbial or antifungal medication;
• Heart or blood pressure medications;
• treatment for hepatitis C, as well as HIV/AIDS;
• seizure medicine;
• St. John’s wort;
• tuberculosis medicine or
• medicines that reduce the immunity system like steroids, cancer medicines, and medications to stop rejection of organ transplants.

This list isn’t complete and other medications may interfere with everolimus. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

More details

Keep this and other medications away from the reach of youngsters. Do not give your medication to anyone else and utilize Afinitor only as that is prescribed.

Always consult your doctor to make sure the information presented on this page is applicable to your specific situation.