Everolimus

What is this medication for?

Everolimus works by suppressing the immune system. It is used to prevent organ rejection in solid organ transplants. 

It is also used in the treatment of certain types of cancer e.g. kidney cancer, breast cancer, neuroendocrine tumors. 

How should I take or use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• Take it at the same time each day.
• You may take this medication with or without food, but take it consistently the same way each time.
• Swallow the tablet whole, do not crush or chew

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
  • For Afinitor brand: If you forget to take a dose, it can still be taken up to 6 hours after the time it is normally taken. After more than 6 hours, the dose should be skipped for that day.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You have high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney or liver problems.
• You have an active infection.
• You are planning to receive any vaccines and you must avoid any live vaccinations.
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
• You have galactose intolerance, congenital lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
• You are taking calcineurin inhibitors (e.g. tacrolimus, cyclosporine).
• You had a recent heart or kidney transplant.

What are some common side effects of this medication? ​

• Increased blood sugar
  • Your doctor may perform routine blood tests to monitor your blood sugar
  • If advised by your doctor, check your blood sugar using a home testing kit regularly and bring the readings to your doctor
  • Seek medical attention if you develop the following symptoms: increased thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision and/ or tiredness
• Increased blood cholesterol and triglyceride level
  • Your doctor will perform routine blood tests to monitor the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood
• Reduced potassium in your blood
  • Your doctor will perform routine blood tests to monitor the potassium levels in your blood
  • Seek medical attention if you develop the following symptoms: chest pain, heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness or cramps, nausea and vomiting
• Increased blood pressure
  • Your doctor will measure your blood pressure at each visit
  • Check your blood pressure regularly and bring the readings to your doctor
• Anxiety, headache, insomnia
• Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
  • Drink more water when having diarrhoea and vomiting
• Infections
  • Seek medical attention if you develop symptoms like prolonged diarrhoea, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers
• Kidney problems
  • Seek medical attention if you develop symptoms like swelling of hands and feet, inability to pass urine
• Lung problems
  • Seek medical attention if you develop symptoms like cough, shortness of breath
• Acne (pimples)
  • Seek medical attention if symptoms are bothersome 

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately? 

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

You can also find out about drug allergies by watching these videos:

For videos in 中文, Melayu and தமிழ், click here

Some other rare but serious side effects include:

• Cancer (blood or predominantly skin cancers) – limit or avoid sun and ultraviolet light exposure; use appropriate sunblock or protect your skin from the sun to reduce risk
• Interstitial lung disease (inflammation or scarring of lung tissue): Symptoms include shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, tiredness, chest discomfort
• Acute pancreatitis ( inflammation of pancreas tissue): Symptoms include severe upper abdominal pain radiating to the back, nausea, vomiting, fever, and a rapid heartbeat.
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in legs or arms): Symptoms include swelling, pain, tenderness, redness, or warmth in the affected arm or leg
• Pulmonary embolism ( blood clots in lungs): Symptoms include sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain (especially when breathing deeply), a rapid heart rate, and coughing up blood

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice as they may increase the level of everolimus in your body.
• Avoid Seville oranges (bitter oranges) and products containing them.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking other medications as they may interact with Everolimus.

• Examples of medications that may interact with everolimus include:
  • Certain antibiotics (e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin).
  • Certain antifungal medicines (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole).
  • Certain medicines used to treat HIV infection.
  • Certain medicines for epilepsy (e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin).
  • Rifampicin.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely? ​

For general waste: Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.