Everolimus
1 medicine
Everolimus is an mTOR-inhibitor targeted cancer therapy also used to prevent organ-transplant rejection. It can cause serious infections and non-infectious lung inflammation, so new fever or breathing symptoms need urgent medical review.
Key facts
- Everolimus (marketed as Afinitor for cancer and Certican for transplant use) is an mTOR inhibitor. It blocks a growth-signalling pathway that cancer cells rely on and separately dampens the immune system to prevent transplant rejection.
- It's taken once a day by mouth at the same time each day, and blood levels are monitored closely when used after a transplant.
- Everolimus increases the risk of serious infections and can cause non-infectious inflammation of the lungs. New fever, cough or breathlessness needs urgent medical review.
- Seek urgent care for shortness of breath, high fever, or unusual bleeding or bruising.
What everolimus treats
Everolimus treats advanced kidney cancer, certain hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers (combined with exemestane), neuroendocrine tumours of the pancreas, gut or lung, and the brain growths (subependymal giant cell astrocytomas) associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. A different-strength formulation is used with other medicines to prevent the body rejecting a transplanted kidney, liver or heart.
How everolimus works
Cancer cells and the immune system both rely on a signalling protein called mTOR to grow and multiply. Everolimus blocks mTOR, slowing the growth and division of cancer cells and, in transplant recipients, dampening the immune response that would otherwise attack the new organ.
Before you take it
- Tell your doctor about any active infection before starting everolimus, since the drug lowers your ability to fight infections.
- Report any new cough, shortness of breath, or fever promptly. Everolimus can cause lung inflammation that is not caused by infection and needs prompt treatment.
- Blood counts, kidney function, liver function, blood sugar and cholesterol need regular monitoring, since everolimus can affect all of these.
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as certain antifungal or HIV medicines, and CYP3A4 inducers change everolimus levels significantly; tell your doctor about all other medicines you take.
Side effects
Common effects include mouth ulcers, fatigue, diarrhoea, and rash.
Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:
- Shortness of breath, or a new or worsening cough.
- High fever, chills, or signs of a severe infection.
- Unusual bleeding, bruising, or blood in urine or stool.
- Swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing.
Safety essentials
- Report any new respiratory symptoms, fever, or signs of infection to your doctor immediately. Everolimus can cause serious infections and non-infectious lung inflammation that need prompt treatment.
- Keep every scheduled blood test for blood counts, kidney and liver function, glucose and cholesterol, since everolimus affects all of these.
- Tell every doctor and pharmacist you see that you take everolimus, since many common medicines interact with it through the CYP3A4 liver enzyme.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.