Medications and Drugs

Brand Names: Afinitor

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

• What is everolimus (Afinitor) (Afinitor)?
• What are the possible side effects of Afinitor (Afinitor)?
• What is the most important information I should know about Afinitor (Afinitor)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking Afinitor (Afinitor)?
• How should I take Afinitor (Afinitor)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Afinitor)?
• What happens if I overdose (Afinitor)?
• What should I avoid while taking Afinitor (Afinitor)?
• What other drugs will affect Afinitor (Afinitor)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is everolimus (Afinitor) (Afinitor)?

Everolimus is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body.

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.

Afinitor is also used to treat a type of brain tumor that occurs in people with a genetic condition called tuberous sclerosis.

Afinitor is also used to treat certain types of advanced or progressive tumors of the pancreas.

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.

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

What are the possible side effects of Afinitor (Afinitor)?

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.

Stop using Afinitor and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• new or worsening cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath;
• stabbing chest pain, cough with yellow or green mucus;
• seizure (convulsions);
• 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, feeling weak or tired;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• pain or fullness in your ear, hearing problems;
• 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, joint pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• diarrhea, constipation, mild nausea or vomiting, weight loss;
• dry skin, acne, mild itching or skin rash;
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
• 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.

What is the most important information I should know about Afinitor (Afinitor)?

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.

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

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

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while taking everolimus, 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 Guérin), and nasal flu vaccine.

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.

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