Patient leaflet - Everolimus DR. Reddys 2.5 mg tablets
1. What Everolimus is and what it is used for
Everolimus is an anticancer medicine containing the active substance everolimus. Everolimus reduces the blood supply to the tumour and slows down the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Everolimus is used to treat adult patients with:
hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer in
postmenopausal women, in whom other treatments (so called “non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors”) no longer keep the disease under control. It is given together with a medicine called exemestane, a steroidal aromatase inhibitor, which is used for hormonal anticancer therapy.
advanced tumours called neuroendocrine tumours that
originate from the stomach, bowels, lung or pancreas. It is given if the tumours are inoperable and do not overproduce specific hormones or other related natural substances.
advanced kidney cancer (advanced renal cell carcinoma),
where other treatments (so-called “VEGF-targeted therapy”) have not helped stop your disease.
2. What you need to know before you take Everolimus
Everolimus will only be prescribed for you by a doctor with experience in cancer treatment. Follow all the doctor’s instructions carefully. They may differ from the general information contained in this leaflet. If you have any questions about Everolimus or why it has been prescribed for you, ask your doctor.
Do not take Everolimus
if you are allergic to everolimus, to related substances
such as sirolimus or temsirolimus, or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). If you think you may be allergic, ask your doctor for advice. Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor before taking Everolimus:
if you have any problems with your liver or if you have
ever had any disease which may have affected your liver. If this is the case, your doctor may need to prescribe a different dose of Everolimus.
if you have diabetes (high level of sugar in your blood).
Everolimus may increase blood sugar levels and worsen diabetes mellitus. This may result in the need for insulin and/or oral antidiabetic agent therapy. Tell your doctor if you experience any excessive thirst or increased frequency of urination.
- if you need to receive a vaccine while taking Everolimus.
if you have high cholesterol. Everolimus may elevate
cholesterol and/or other blood fats.
if you have had recent major surgery, or if you still have an
unhealed wound following surgery. Everolimus may increase the risk of problems with wound healing.
if you have an infection. It may be necessary to treat your
infection before starting Everolimus.
if you have previously had hepatitis B, because this may
be reactivated during treatment with Everolimus (see section 4 ‘Possible side effects’).
if you have received or are about to receive radiation
therapy.
Everolimus may also:
weaken your immune system. Therefore, you may be at risk
of getting an infection while you are taking Everolimus. If you have fever or other signs of an infection, consult with your doctor. Some infections may be severe and may have fatal consequences.
impact your kidney function. Therefore, your doctor will
monitor your kidney function while you are taking Everolimus.
- cause shortness of breath, cough and fever.
cause mouth ulcers and sores to develop. Your doctor
might need to interrupt or discontinue your treatment with Everolimus. You might need treatment with a mouthwash, gel or other products. Some mouthwashes and gels can make ulcers worse, so do not try anything without checking with your doctor first. Your doctor might restart treatment with Everolimus at the same dose or at a lower dose.
cause complications of radiation therapy. Severe
complications of radiotherapy (such as shortness of breath, nausea, diarrhoea, skin rashes and soreness in mouth, gums and throat), including fatal cases, have been observed in some patients who were taking everolimus at the same time as radiation therapy or who were taking everolimus shortly after they had radiation therapy. In addition, so-called radiation recall syndrome (comprising skin redness or lung inflammation at the site of previous radiation therapy) has been reported in patients who had radiation therapy in the past.
Tell your doctor if you are planning to have radiation therapy
in the near future, or if you have had radiation therapy before.
Tell your doctor if you experience these symptoms. You will have regular blood tests during treatment. These will check the amount of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets) in your body to see if Everolimus is having an unwanted effect on these cells. Blood tests will also be carried out to check your kidney function (level of creatinine) and liver function (level of transaminases) and your blood sugar and cholesterol levels. This is because these can also be affected by Everolimus.
Children and adolescents
Everolimus is not to be used in children or adolescents (age below 18 years).
Other medicines and Everolimus
Everolimus may affect the way some other medicines work. If you are taking other medicines at the same time as Everolimus, your doctor may need to change the dose of Everolimus or the other medicines.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. The following may increase the risk of side effects with Everolimus:
ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, or fluconazole
and other antifungals used to treat fungal infections
clarithromycin, telithromycin or erythromycin, antibiotics
used to treat bacterial infections.
ritonavir and other medicines used to treat HIV
infection/AIDS
verapamil or diltiazem, used to treat heart conditions or high
blood pressure
dronedarone, a medicine used to help regulate your heart
beat
ciclosporin, a medicine used to stop the body from rejecting
organ transplants
- imatinib, used to inhibit the growth of abnormal cells
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (such as
ramipril) used to treat high blood pressure or other cardiovascular problems
- nefazodone, used to treat depression
cannabidiol (uses amongst others include treatment of
seizures)
The following may reduce the effectiveness of Everolimus:
- rifampicin, used to treat tuberculosis (TB)
- efavirenz or nevirapine, used to treat HIV infection/AIDS
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), a herbal product
used to treat depression and other conditions
dexamethasone, a corticosteroid used to treat a wide
variety of conditions including inflammatory or immune problems
phenytoin, carbamazepine or phenobarbital and other
anti-epileptics used to stop seizures or fits
These medicines should be avoided during your treatment with Everolimus. If you are taking any of them, your doctor may switch you to a different medicine, or may change your dose of Everolimus.
Everolimus with food and drink
Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while you are on Everolimus. It may increase the amount of Everolimus in the blood, possibly to a harmful level.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility
Pregnancy
Everolimus could harm your unborn baby and is not recommended during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or think that you may be pregnant. Your doctor will discuss with you whether you should take this medicine during your pregnancy.
Women who could potentially become pregnant should use highly effective contraception during treatment and for up to 8 weeks after ending treatment. If, despite these measures, you think you may have become pregnant, ask your doctor for advice before taking any more Everolimus.
Breastfeeding
Everolimus could harm a breastfed baby. You should not breastfeed during treatment and for 2 weeks after the last dose of everolimus. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Female fertility
Absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhoea) has been observed in some female patients receiving Everolimus. Everolimus may have an impact on female fertility. Talk to your doctor if you wish to have children.
Male fertility
Everolimus may affect male fertility. Talk to your doctor if you wish to father a child.
Driving and using machines
If you feel unusually tired (fatigue is a very common side effect), take special care when driving or using machines. Everolimus tablets contain lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
3. How to take Everolimus
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The recommended dose is 10 mg, taken once a day. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets of Everolimus to take. If you have liver problems, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of Everolimus (2.5 mg, 5 mg or 7.5 mg per day). If you experience certain side effects while you are taking Everolimus (see section 4), your doctor may lower your dose or stop treatment, either for a short time or permanently. Take Everolimus once a day, at about the same time every day, consistently either with or without food.
Swallow the tablet(s) whole with a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the tablets.
If you take more Everolimus than you should
If you have taken too much Everolimus, or if someone else
accidentally takes your tablets, see a doctor or go to a hospital immediately. Urgent treatment may be necessary.
Take the carton and this leaflet, so that the doctor knows
what has been taken.
If you forget to take Everolimus
If you miss a dose, take your next dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten tablets. If you stop taking Everolimus
Do not stop taking Everolimus unless your doctor tells you to. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
STOP taking Everolimus and seek medical help immediately if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction:
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
- severe itching of the skin, with a red rash or raised bumps Serious side effects of Everolimus include:
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- increased temperature, chills (signs of infection)
fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing (signs of
inflammation of the lung, also known as pneumonitis) Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
excessive thirst, high urine output, increased appetite with
weight loss, tiredness (signs of diabetes)
- bleeding (haemorrhage), for example in the gut wall
- severely decreased urine output (sign of kidney failure) Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
fever, skin rash, joint pain and inflammation, as well as
tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), pain in the upper right abdomen, pale stools, dark urine (may be signs of hepatitis B reactivation)
breathlessness, difficulty breathing when lying down, swelling
of the feet or legs (signs of heart failure)
swelling and/or pain in one of the legs, usually in the calf,
redness or warm skin in the affected area (signs of blockade of a blood vessel (vein) in the legs caused by blood clotting)
sudden onset of shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing
up blood (potential signs of pulmonary embolism, a condition that occurs when one or more arteries in your lungs become blocked)
severely decreased urine output, swelling in the legs, feeling
confused, pain in the back (signs of sudden kidney failure)
- rash, itching, hives
difficulty breathing or swallowing, dizziness (signs of serious
allergic reaction, also known as hypersensitivity) Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
shortness of breath or rapid breath (signs of acute
respiratory distress syndrome)
If you experience any of these side effects, tell your doctor immediately as this might have life-threatening consequences.
Other possible side effects of Everolimus include: Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- high level of sugar in the blood (hyperglycaemia)
- loss of appetite
- disturbed taste (dysgeusia)
- headache
- nose bleeds (epistaxis)
- cough
- mouth ulcers
- upset stomach including feeling sick (nausea) or diarrhoea
- skin rash
- itching (pruritus)
- feeling weak or tired
tiredness, breathlessness, dizziness, pale skin, signs of low
level of red blood cells (anaemia)
swelling of arms, hands, feet, ankles or other part of the
body (signs of oedema)
- weight loss
- high level of lipids (fats) in the blood (hypercholesterolaemia)
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
spontaneous bleeding or bruising (signs of low level of
platelets, also known as thrombocytopenia),
- breathlessness (dyspnea)
thirst, low urine output, dark urine, dry flushed skin, irritability
(signs of dehydration)
- trouble sleeping (insomnia)
headache, dizziness (sign of high blood pressure, also
known as hypertension)
swelling of part or all of your arm (including fingers) or leg
(including toes), feeling heaviness, restricted movement, discomfort (possible symptoms of lymphoedema)
fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers due to infections (signs of
low level of white blood cells, leukopenia, lymphopenia and/or neutropenia)
- fever
- inflammation of the inner lining of the mouth, stomach, gut
- dry mouth
- heartburn (dyspepsia)
- being sick (vomiting)
- difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
- abdominal pain
- acne
rash and pain on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet
(hand-foot syndrome)
- reddening of the skin (erythema)
- joint pain
- pain in the mouth
- menstruation disorders such as irregular periods
high level of lipids (fats) in the blood (hyperlipidaemia, raised
triglycerides)
- low level of potassium in the blood (hypokalaemia)
- low level of phosphate in the blood (hypophosphataemia)
- low level of calcium in the blood (hypocalcaemia)
- dry skin, skin exfoliation, skin lesions
- nail disorders, breaking of your nails
- mild loss of hair
abnormal results of liver blood tests (increased alanine and
aspartate aminotransferase)
- abnormal results of renal blood tests (increased creatinine)
- swelling of the eyelid
- protein in the urine
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
weakness, spontaneous bleeding or bruising and frequent
infections with signs such as fever, chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers (signs of low level of blood cells, also known as pancytopenia)
- loss of sense of taste (ageusia)
- coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
menstruation disorders such as absence of periods
(amenorrhoea)
- passing urine more often during daytime
- chest pain
- abnormal wound healing
- hot flushes
- discharge from the eye with itching and redness
pink eye or red eye (conjunctivitis)
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
tiredness, breathlessness, dizziness, pale skin (signs of low
level of red blood cells, possibly due to a type of anaemia called pure red cell aplasia)
swelling of the face, around the eyes, mouth, and inside the
mouth and/or throat, as well as the tongue and difficulty breathing or swallowing (also known as angioedema), may be signs of an allergic reaction
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available
data)
reaction at the site of previous radiation therapy, e.g. skin
redness or lung inflammation (so called radiation recall syndrome)
- worsening of radiation treatment side effects
If these side effects get severe please tell your doctor and/or pharmacist. Most of the side effects are mild to moderate and will generally disappear if your treatment is interrupted for a few days.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme website www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Everolimus
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister foil. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store in the original package in order to protect from light. This medicine does not require any special temperature storage conditions.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Everolimus tablets contain
The active substance is everolimus.
The other ingredients are butylhydroxytoluene (E321), hypromellose (E464), lactose, lactose monohydrate, crospovidone (E1202) and magnesium stearate (E470b). What Everolimus tablets look like and contents of the pack
Everolimus tablets are available in three strengths: Everolimus 2.5 mg are white to off white oval biconvex tablets (approximately 10 x 5 mm), debossed with E9VS on one side and 2.5 on the other side.
Everolimus 5 mg are white to off white oval and biconvex tablets (approximately 13 x 6 mm), debossed with E9VS 5 on one side.
Everolimus 10 mg are white to off white oval and biconvex tablets (approximately 16 x 8 mm), debossed with E9VS 10 on one side.
Everolimus 2.5 mg tablets and Everolimus 5 mg tablets are available in packs containing 30 tablets.
Everolimus 10 mg tablets are available in packs containing 10, 30 or 90 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (UK) Ltd,
410 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road,
Cambridge, CB4 0PE, United Kingdom
Manufacturer
Synthon Hispania S.L., Castelló 1, Polígono Las Salinas, 08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
This leaflet was last revised in 02/2024
Package leaflet: Information for the patient Everolimus 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg Tablets
everolimus
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are
the same as yours.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See
DRxxxxxxx
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Submission
Implementation Date: 01 Sept 2022 Brand:
Country:
Product Name:
Strength:
Form:
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DR Reddy’s
UK
Everolimus
2.5 / 5 / 10 mg
Tablets
Leaflet
30s
xx xxx xxx
14 FEB 2024
210 x 600 mm CC1000120528 Project: