Everolimus Side Effects

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

In May 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved everolimus (Afinitor, developed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals) for treating progressive neuroendocrine tumors of pancreatic origin (pancreatic NET, or pNET) in patients with unresectable (unable to be removed by surgery), locally advanced or metastatic (mets, or spreading) disease. Everolimus is also approved for use in the treatment of subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS), and advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).^[1] Everolimus also treats certain types of brain tumors.^[2] In studies, everolimus showed promise in treating certain types of breast cancer.^[3] Everolimus (Zortress) is also used as an immunosuppressive drug to prevent rejection after organ transplants.^[4]

Contents 1 Common Everolimus Side Effects 2 About Drug Side Effects 3 Everolimus Allergic Reactions 4 Everolimus Precautions and Warnings 5 References

Common Everolimus Side Effects

• Some common side effects of everolimus include constipation, diarrhea, weakness, dry skin, headaches, changes in ability to taste food, nosebleeds, changes in personality, pains in the arms or legs, acne.

• Everolimus can cause serious side effects including kidney failure or infections, which can lead to death.

• In certain patients, everolimus can cause lung or breathing problems which can be quite severe, and can lead to death. Symptoms include new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty breathing or wheezing.

• Everolimus can make patients more susceptible to infections such as pneumonia, or a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection. Viral infections may include a reactivation of hepatitis B in people who have already had hepatitis B in the past. In some people these infections may be severe, and can lead to death. Symptoms include a temperature 100.5°F or above, chills, skin rash, joint pain and inflammation, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, pale stool or dark urine, yellowing of the skin, or pain in the upper right side.

• Mouth ulcers and mouth sores are common side effects occurring in 70% of advanced PNET, 44% of advanced RCC, and 86% of SEGA patients taking everolimus.^[7]

About Drug Side Effects

Everolimus Allergic Reactions

The active ingredients in everolimus - sirolimus (Rapamune) or temsirolimus (Torisel) can cause allergic reactions. In addition, the inactive ingredients in the drug can also bring about allergic reactions in some patients. These inactive ingredients are crospovidone, anhydrous lactose, butylated hydroxytoluene, hypromelloses, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate.^[7]

Everolimus Precautions and Warnings

Taking everolimus may decrease the patient's ability to fight infection from bacteria, viruses, and fungi and increase the risk of contracting a serious or life-threatening infection.

Everolimus may cause kidney failure. In some people this may be severe and can even lead to death.^[7]

Also See: Sunitinib Malate Side Effects, Pfizer Patient Assistance Programs, Cancer Drugs, Arimidex, Avastin Side Effects, Casodex Coupons, Evista Coupons, Evista Side Effects, Herceptin Side Effects, Lupron Coupons, Mylotarg Recall, Prolia Side Effects, Taxotere Side Effects, Yervoy Side Effects, Zelboraf Side Effects

References

1. ↑ http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/fda-everolimus
2. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000510/
3. ↑ http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1109653
4. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16805720
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4} http://www.afinitor.com/
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} http://www.zortress.com/
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} http://www.afinitor.com/index.jsp?site=PC018122&source=01030&irmasrc=ONCWB0042