Afinitor Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, although it can affect men as well. Symptoms can include lumps in the breast or armpit, changes in the shape of a breast, and nipple discharge.

Hormonal, lifestyle, and environmental factors all contribute to the risk of breast cancer. Between five and ten percent of breast cancers are due to genetic causes and are often inherited.

Neuroendocrine Tumors

Neuroendocrine tumors are formed from cells in the endocrine and nervous systems. The tumors usually occur in the intestines, pancreas, and lungs. Symptoms vary, depending on which part of the body the tumor is located. Tumors can be benign or malignant.

Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of kidney cancer. The disease usually has few symptoms in the early stages. Later, it can manifest in symptoms like a lump in the belly or lower back, blood in the urine, back pain, weight loss, tiredness, and loss of appetite. A number of factors (e.g. smoking, being overweight, long-term exposure to painkillers, certain chemicals) are known to increase this risk.

Afinitor Active Ingredient

Afinitor contains the active ingredient everolimus, which works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. It is prescribed to patients with various types of cancers.

Generic Afinitor Alternative

Generic alternatives to Afinitor are not yet available on this website.

General Drug Information

What is Afinitor and What Is It Used For?

Afinitor is prescribed to treat certain types of kidney, breast, pancreas, lung, and stomach cancers. It is also used to treat certain benign brain and kidney tumors in people with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a genetic disorder.

Usage and Application

Afinitor should be taken exactly as prescribed. Dosage depends on the patient’s medical condition, response to treatment, laboratory tests, and other medications they may be taking. For patients taking the medicine for a certain type of benign brain tumor, dosage is determined by body size.

Do not increase the dose or take Afinitor longer than necessary. Medical conditions will not improve faster, and patients are faced with higher risk of serious side effects.

Patients should inform their doctor and pharmacist of all other medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements they are taking. Do not change the dosage form without consulting their doctor or pharmacist.

Patients are usually prescribed one daily oral dose. Afinitor may be taken with or without food, however patients should choose one way of taking the medicine and follow it with every dose. Tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew them.

It is important to use Afinitor regularly in order to experience its full benefit. Patients should take this medication at the same time each day to prevent forgetting.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice increase the risk of side effects. Avoid consuming these substances until your doctor or pharmacist recommends that you can do so safely.

Afinitor can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby. Women who are pregnant (or who are planning to become pregnant) should not handle this medication or breathe dust from the tablets.

Considerations Before Taking Afinitor

Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss any possibility of allergic reactions to Afinitor. In addition, this medication may contain inactive ingredients which can cause allergic reactions and other problems. It is also important to rule out any allergies to sirolimus or temsirolimus.

If you shop for Afinitor online, please note that you may encounter the drug under its generic name: everolimus.

It is vital to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially high cholesterol, liver disease, diabetes, as well as any recent and/or current infections.

Afinitor may cause dizziness. While taking this medication, patients should not drive, use machinery, or perform other tasks requiring alertness until the effects of the medication are known. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink and discuss marijuana use with your doctor.

Afinitor increases the risk of new infections and may worsen current infections. Patients should wash their hands to reduce this risk. Avoid contact with people who have the flu, measles, chickenpox, or other contagious conditions. Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection.

Avoid any immunizations or vaccinations unless these procedures have been approved by your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (e.g. the flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

It is important to lower the chance of cuts, bruises, and injuries. Avoid activities like contact sports. Exercise caution when handling sharp objects like razors and nail cutters.

Patients preparing for surgery or certain dental procedures should inform their doctor or dentist about all medicines, supplements, and herbal products they are taking.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the negative side effects of this medicine.

Afinitor may harm an unborn baby. Women should inform their doctor if they are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. Female patients need to discuss reliable birth control methods with their doctor, and should avoid pregnancy while being treated with Afinitor (including the following eight weeks after the treatment has been completed).

Male patients should also use reliable birth control methods to prevent pregnancy in female partners. Birth control must be used while being treated with Afinitor, including the following month after the end of treatment. Should a male patient’s partner become pregnant, they should inform her doctor immediately.

Afinitor may be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby. Women who are pregnant (or may become pregnant) should not handle Afinitor or breathe dust from the tablets.

It is not known whether Afinitor passes into breastmilk. However, breastfeeding while taking this medication is not recommended. Women who have taken Afinitor should wait two weeks before breastfeeding.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Afinitor should take it as soon as they remember. If the delay is greater than six hours, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up on the dose to catch up.

Other Medications and Afinitor

Drug interactions may change the way Afinitor and its generic alternatives work, and may increase the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss all medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so.

Certain drugs may interact negatively with Afinitor. Examples include natalizumab – prescribed to treat multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease – and rituximab, which is used to treat a number of autoimmune diseases. ACE inhibitors such as captopril (e.g. Capoten) and lisinopril (e.g. Zestril) have a similar effect.

A number of other antidepressants containing nefazodone (e.g Serzone) affect how Afinitor is removed from the body, which may affect how the drug functions.

Additional examples include azole antifungals like itraconazole (e.g Sporanox) and ketoconazole (e.g Nizoral), macrolide antibiotics containing clarithromycin (e.g Biaxin) and erythromycin (e.g Eryc), and certain HIV medications like atazanavir (e.g. Reyataz), indinavir (e.g Crixivan), and ritonavir (e.g Norvir).

The heart disease medication cobicistat and antibiotic telithromycin have the same effect, as does St. John's wort.

This document does not contain a full list of all possible interactions. Please consult with your physician before buying Afinitor or any of its generic alternatives.

Adverse Reactions

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, changes in taste, and weight loss. Patients may also experience dry skin, nosebleeds, dizziness, and headache. Patients should consult their doctor if these side effects persist or worsen.

Pain or sores in the mouth and throat may also occur. To reduce the risk of mouth sores, patients are often prescribed a mouthwash that contains a corticosteroid medication.

Avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol, iodine, peroxide, and thyme. Brush your teeth gently. Rinse your mouth frequently with cool water mixed with baking soda or salt. Eating soft, moist foods also helps to reduce the risk of mouth sores.

Some patients experience temporary hair loss. Normal hair growth typically resumes after treatment has ended.

Serious Side Effects

Patients using Afinitor may experience serious side effects. However, the patient’s physician already has determined that the benefit of treatment is greater than the risk of side effects. Careful monitoring by the treating physician helps to reduce the risk of serious side effects.

Patients should inform their doctor if they experience any of the following serious side effects: swelling hands, ankles, and/or feet, easy bruising and/or bleeding, unusual tiredness, changes in mood, and slowed wound healing. Female patients should alert their doctor if they miss their period, or if their period is unusually heavy and/or painful.

In rare cases, Afinitor has caused serious, possibly fatal kidney problems. Patients should alert their doctor if they experience signs of kidney problems (e.g. changes in the amount of urine).

Afinitor may cause blood sugar levels to rise. Patients should monitor for symptoms like increased thirst and urination. Diabetic patients should regularly check their blood sugar levels and share the results with their doctor. Diabetic patients may need to have their medication, exercise program, and/or diet adjusted.

Patients need to have their cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked regularly as Afinitor may cause levels to increase. Some patients may need to take special medications manage these issues.

Afinitor may lower the body’s ability to fight infections, and can increase the risk of new infections. Those with existing infections may discover that their condition worsens. Patients should contact their physician immediately if they notice signs of infection: fever, chills, cough, and/or persistent sore throat.

Afinitor is known to have caused very serious lung problems. In rare cases, these are fatal. Patients should monitor for symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain. Report such symptoms to your doctor immediately.

In people with hepatitis B, Afinitor can rarely cause a serious (possibly fatal) liver condition. Patients should seek immediate medical attention if they experience the following symptoms: darkened urine, persistent nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach, and yellowing of the eyes and/or skin.

Afinitor increases the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare but occasionally fatal brain infection. PML symptoms can include weakness, clumsiness, loss of coordination, vision changes, and speech problems. Additional symptoms include sudden changes in thinking (such as confusion and difficulty concentrating), as well as difficulty moving the muscles, and seizure.

In both men and women, this medication may affect fertility. Consult your doctor for more details.

Allergic Reactions

Afinitor may cause a mild rash, which is usually not serious. However, because it is often difficult to tell this apart from a rare ras (that signifies severe allergic reaction), it is best to seek medical attention.

Serious allergic reactions to Afinitor are rare, yet patients should be aware of symptoms that include rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

How to Store Afinitor

Afinitor should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.