Uses of Everolimus

Everolimus is used to reduce the blood supply of hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer in women after menopause, in whom other treatments, advanced tumours called neuroendocrine tumours that originate from the stomach, bowels, lung or pancreas, advanced kidney cancer (advanced renal cell carcinoma), where other treatments (VEGF-targeted therapy) have not helped stop your disease.

Therapeutic Category

Everolimus: Anticancer agents

How Everolimus works

Everolimus reduces the blood supply to the tumours (hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer) and slows down the growth and spread of cancer cells especially in in women after menopause.

Common side effects of Everolimus

• loss of appetite, weight loss
• disturbed taste (dysgeusia)
• headache
• nose bleeds
• cough
• mouth ulcer
• upset stomach
• nausea
• diarrhea
• skin rash, itching (pruritus)
• feeling weak or tired
• anemia (tiredness, breathlessness, dizziness, pale skin, signs of low level of red blood cells)
• edema (swelling of arms, hands, feet, ankles, or other parts of the body)
• hypercholesterolemia (high level of lipids)
• spontaneous bleeding or bruising
• breathlessness
• signs of dehydration (thirst, low urine output, dark urine, dry flushed skin, irritability)
• insomnia
• lymphoedema (signs include swelling of part or all arm, feeling of heaviness, restricted movement, discomfort
• inflammation of the inner lining of the mouth, stomach, gut
• dry mouth
• heartburn
• vomiting
• difficulty in swallowing
• abdominal pain
• acne
• hand-foot syndrome (signs include rash and pain on the palms of the hands or soles of feet)
• erythema (reddening of the skin)
• joint pain
• pain in the mouth
• menstruation disorders such as irregular periods
• dry skin, skin exfoliation, skin lesions
• nail disorders, breaking of your nails
• mild loss of hair
• swelling of the eyelid

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor:

• In case of accidental overdosage
• If you experience, any signs of allergic reaction (signs include difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (signs of angioedema), and severe itching of the skin, with a red rash or raised bumps)
• If you experience increased temperature, chills (signs of infection)
• If you experience fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing (signs of inflammation of the lung, also known as pneumonitis)
• If you experience excessive thirst, high urine output, increased appetite with weight loss, tiredness (signs of diabetes)
• If you experience Bleeding (haemorrhage), for example in the gut wall
• If you have severely decreased urine output (kidney failure)

Health Tips for Everolimus

• Everolimus should be taken with food, preferably at the same time each day. This can help improve absorption and reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects of everolimus
• Drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, as some medications can cause dehydration
• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Everolimus and affect its effectiveness. It's best to avoid consuming them while taking the medication
• Regularly visit your healthcare provider for check-ups and blood tests to monitor your health and the effectiveness of Everolimus
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the restroom, to reduce the risk of infections
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick, especially during flu seasons or when there are outbreaks of contagious diseases
• If you smoke, consider quitting, as smoking can have detrimental effects on your health. Additionally, limit alcohol intake, as it can interact with medications and affect your liver function