Afinitor 5mg Tablet

Composition Everolimus (5mg)
Rx Prescription Required
Pack strip of 10 tablets
Storage Store below 30°C
Chemical Class Macrolide Lactams
Action Class Immunosuppressant- mTOR inhibitors
Habbit Forming No
Manufacturer Novartis India Ltd
Manufacturer address Sandoz House, Shiv Sagar Estate, Worli Mumbai -400 018, India

Afinitor 5mg Tablet must be taken in a dose and duration as per the prescription. It can be taken with or without food but make sure to take it at about the same time every day. An overdose of this medicine may have serious side effects on the body.

The common side effects of this medicine are weakness, sinus inflammation, infection, fever, cough, etc. If any of the side effects persist or bother you, consult the doctor immediately. Inform the doctor immediately if you experience any allergic reactions (rash, shortness of breath, coughing, swelling, etc.). Always seek medical advice if you have increased thirst or increased frequency of urination, suffer from shortness of breath, cough or fever, or need to receive any vaccination after taking this medication.

Before taking this medicine, it is important to consult your doctor if you have any ongoing medication for any underlying disease. Pregnant and breastfeeding women must inform the doctor prior to the initiation of this treatment. During the treatment, your doctor may advise you for some laboratory tests to know the effects of the medicine in the body. It may affect male or female fertility, so consult the doctor if you are planning to have a child.

Prevention of organ rejection in transplant patients
Treatment of Breast cancer
Treatment of Pancreatic cancer
Treatment of Lung cancer
Treatment of Kidney cancer

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Afinitor 5mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

Afinitor 5mg Tablet suppresses the activity of body’s immune system and prevents rejection of the transplanted organ.

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Afinitor 5mg Tablet is given for the treatment of certain cancers and to prevent organ transplant rejection. 

Afinitor 5mg Tablet may affect male or female fertility; consult your doctor if you are planning to have a child.

Inform your doctor straight away if you think you are getting a sore throat or if you have a high temperature. This is because Afinitor 5mg Tablet increases your risk of getting an infection.

While you are taking Afinitor 5mg Tablet do not take any vaccinations without talking to your doctor first.

If you are having an operation or dental treatment, always tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking Afinitor 5mg Tablet.

Do not drink grapefruit juice while you are taking this medicine. This is because a chemical in grapefruit juice can interfere with the action of Afinitor 5mg Tablet.

Q. Is any monitoring required while taking Afinitor 5mg Tablet?

Regular monitoring is required while you are on Afinitor 5mg Tablet. The doctor will advise blood tests to see the counts of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets since the counts may decrease during treatment with Afinitor 5mg Tablet. Also, blood tests will be required to check your kidney function, liver function, blood glucose levels, and cholesterol levels.

Q. What should I avoid while taking Afinitor 5mg Tablet?

You should avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Afinitor 5mg Tablet. This is because taking them together may increase the levels of Afinitor 5mg Tablet in your blood to harmful levels. Avoid the use of live vaccinations and any possible contact with individuals who have received live vaccinations.

Q. What is the most important information I need to know about Afinitor 5mg Tablet?

Afinitor 5mg Tablet can cause serious side effects which include severe allergic reactions, angioedema, and kidney failure which can be severe and can lead to death. It is possible that you may develop an infection or problems related to lung such as breathing problems.

Q. Is Afinitor 5mg Tablet a chemotherapy?

Afinitor 5mg Tablet is an anticancer medicine. It belongs to kinase inhibitor class of medicines. It works by reducing the blood supply to the tumor, which slows down the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Q. How is Afinitor 5mg Tablet administered?

Usually, Afinitor 5mg Tablet is taken once or twice daily. The medicine should always either be taken with food or always be taken without food. Afinitor 5mg Tablet should be swallowed whole with water and should not be crushed or chewed.

Q. How long can you take Afinitor 5mg Tablet?

There is no definite duration of treatment with Afinitor 5mg Tablet. Afinitor 5mg Tablet is continued till clinical benefit is seen or unacceptable toxicity or side effects occur.

Q. How will I know that Afinitor 5mg Tablet is shrinking my brain tumor?

The effect of Afinitor 5mg Tablet in shrinking the size of tumor can only be checked by getting regular brain scans. It should be done as advised by your doctor and your treatment plan.

Q. Is Afinitor 5mg Tablet cytotoxic?

Yes, Afinitor 5mg Tablet is cytotoxic against human cancer cells of breast, stomach, prostate, and kidneys (renal cell carcinoma).

In Prevention of organ rejection in transplant patients

Afinitor 5mg Tablet is used with other medications to prevent organ transplant rejection. Rejection usually happens due to attack by the immune system of the person receiving the transplanted organ on the transplant itself, in people who are receiving any organ transplants, like kidney, liver, heart etc. This medicine reduces the activity of a person’s own immune system and prevents any such rejection.

In Treatment of Breast cancer

Afinitor 5mg Tablet is used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women when other medicines have failed to show significant improvement. It helps to stop cancer growth and further spread and relieves the symptoms of breast cancer such as breast lumps, bloody discharge from nipple or changes in the shape or texture of the breast. Take is as advised to get maximum relief.

In Treatment of Pancreatic cancer

Pancreas are very essential for digestion of whatever you eat and also for metabolism of blood sugar levels as they produce the body’s natural insulin. This medicine will help to control pancreatic cancer, and will relieve the symptoms such as, lack of appetite or unexplained weight loss. Afinitor 5mg Tablet helps to stop the action of those chemicals that aid in pancreatic cancer growth and spread. It will help you live a longer and healthier life.

In Treatment of Lung cancer

Afinitor 5mg Tablet reduces the blood supply to the cancer cells and stops its growth. But, as it reduces the immunity, avoid being in crowds and wash your hands often to prevent any infections. Have plenty of fluids, unless otherwise advised by the doctor not to. Take a healthy diet and keep taking the medicine as prescribed to get the full benefits.

In Treatment of Kidney cancer

Afinitor 5mg Tablet is used to treat kidney cancer when other medicines have failed to work. It stops cancer growth and prevents multiplication of cancer cells. This restricts the advancement of cancer to other unaffected regions. You need to follow your doctor’s instructions very carefully to recover. Take it as prescribed to get the maximum benefit.show moreshow less

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Upper respiratory tract infection

Diarrhea

Otitis media (infection of ear)

Stomatitis (Inflammation of the mouth)

Fatigue

Cough

Fever

Infection

Sinus inflammation

Weakness

Alcohol:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Afinitor 5mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Afinitor 5mg Tablet is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Afinitor 5mg Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

Driving:UNSAFE

Afinitor 5mg Tablet may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.As fatigue is a common side effect with Afinitor 5mg Tablet and this may affect your ability to drive

Kidney:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Afinitor 5mg Tablet is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Afinitor 5mg Tablet is recommended.

Liver:CAUTION

Afinitor 5mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Afinitor 5mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Use of Afinitor 5mg Tablet is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.

Krensky AM, Bennett WM, Vincenti F. Immunosuppressants, Tolerogens, and Immunostimulants. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. p. 1013.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. p. 526.

Everolimus. East Hanover, New Jersey: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; 2009 . view

Everolimus. Camberley, Surrey: Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd.; 2011 . view