Afinitor (Everolimus Tablets) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 10, 2012

Afinitor

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The kidneys also make substances that help control blood pressure and the production of red blood cells.

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Afinitor

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AFINITOR
(everolimus) Tablets

DRUG DESCRIPTION

AFINITOR (everolimus), an inhibitor of mTOR, is an antineoplastic agent.

The chemical name of everolimus is (1R,9S,12S,15R,16E,18R,19R,21R,23S,24E,26E,28E,30S,32S,35R)-1,18- dihydroxy-12-{(1R)-2-[(1S,3R,4R)-4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-3-methoxycyclohexyl]-1-methylethyl}-19,30-dimethoxy15,17,21,23,29,35-hexamethyl-11,36-dioxa-4-aza-tricyclo[30.3.1.0^4,9]hexatriaconta-16,24,26,28-tetraene-2,3,10,14,20pentaone.

The molecular formula is C₅₃H₈₃NO₁₄ and the molecular weight is 958.2. The structural formula is:

AFINITOR (everolimus) Structural Formula Illustration

AFINITOR is supplied as tablets for oral administration containing 2.5 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg of everolimus together with butylated hydroxytoluene, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate, hypromellose, crospovidone, and lactose anhydrous as inactive ingredients.

What are the possible side effects of everolimus (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.

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, feeling short of breath;
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips; or
other signs of infection such as sore throat, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds,...

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What are the precautions when taking everolimus tablets (Afinitor)?

Before taking everolimus, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to sirolimus or temsirolimus; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, kidney disease, any recent/current infections, diabetes, high cholesterol/triglyceride levels.

Everolimus can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Therefore, wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 6/16/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.