Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Afinitor.
It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
The information in this leaflet was last updated on the date listed on the final page. More recent information on the medicine may be available.
You should ensure that you speak to your pharmacist or doctor to obtain the most up to date information on the medicine. You can also download the most up to date leaflet from www.novartis.com.au.
Those updates may contain important information about the medicine and its use of which you should be aware.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Afinitor against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What Afinitor is used for
Afinitor is used in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer; neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), a type of cancer located in the stomach and intestine, lung or pancreas; tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) with angiomyolipoma of the kidney (a kidney tumour) not requiring immediate surgery; TSC with subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (sometimes called 'SEGA'), a specific type of brain tumour not requiring immediate surgery or certain types of seizures (epilepsy) associated with TSC in children and adults.
Afinitor is also used in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive HER2 negative advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women, in conjunction with exemestane after failure of letrozole or anastrozole.
It is only used in patients whose tumour has tested negative to HER2.
Everolimus is the active substance in Afinitor.
Treatment of kidney cancer
Afinitor stops the cancer from making new cells and cuts off the blood supply. This slows the growth and spread of the cancer.
Treatment of NETs
Afinitor is used to control the growth of these tumours located in the stomach and intestine, lung or pancreas.
Treatment of SEGA
Afinitor reduces the size of brain tumours (SEGA) that are caused by a genetic disorder called tuberous sclerosis. This may stop the tumours from causing problems as they grow, such as hydrocephalus (excessive accumulation of fluid within the brain).
Treatment of TSC with angiomyolipoma of the kidney
Afinitor may reduce the size of angiomyolipoma of the kidney that is associated with a genetic disorder called TSC. This may lower the risk of the tumour(s) causing bleeding complications and may help to preserve kidney function.
Treatment of TSC with seizures
Afinitor may reduce the frequency of seizures in patients with a genetic disorder called TSC.
Treatment of hormone receptor-positive, HER2 negative advanced breast cancer
Growth of this type of breast cancer is stimulated by oestrogens which are female sex hormones. Oestrogen inhibitors such as letrozole, anastrozole and exemestane reduce the amount of oestrogen and can slow the growth of breast cancers. After failure of letrozole or anastrozole, exemestane is used in combination with Afinitor to prevent the breast cancer cells from becoming resistant to the exemestane.
The medicine is started by a specialist doctor experienced in tumour treatments.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
Afinitor is available only with a doctor's prescription and is not addictive.
Children and adolescents
AFINITOR is not to be used in children or adolescents for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive, HER2 negative advanced breast cancer, advanced neuroendocrine tumours or advanced kidney cancer.
AFINITOR is not to be used in children less than 1 years of age for treatment of SEGA associated with TSC.
Before you take Afinitor
When you must not take it
Do not take Afinitor if you have an allergy to:
everolimus, the active ingredient in Afinitor
a medicine called Rapamune which contains the active ingredient sirolimus
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
problems with your liver
diabetes or high levels of blood sugar
Tell your doctor if you have any infections.
It may be necessary to treat your infections before starting Afinitor.
Tell your doctor if you have previously had hepatitis B, because it may be reactivated during your treatment with Afinitor.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Afinitor is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
Breastfeeding is not recommended while you are taking Afinitor and for two weeks after the last dose of Afinitor.. It is not known whether Afinitor passes into breast milk and could affect your baby.
Tell your doctor if you have lactose intolerance.
Afinitor tablets or dispersible tablets contain lactose.
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Your doctor will want to know if you are prone to allergies.
Tell your doctor if you are about to have surgery or if you have had recent surgery or if you still have an unhealed wound following surgery.
Afinitor may increase the risk of problems with wound healing.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start taking Afinitor.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Afinitor may interfere with each other. These include:
antibiotics such as rifampicin, rifabutin, clarithromycin and erythromycin
antifungal medicines such as ketoconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole and itraconazole
medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems such as diltiazem and verapamil
medicines used to treat high blood pressure or other heart problems, known as ACE inhibitors
drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS such as ritonavir, amprenavir, fosamprenavir, efavirenz and nevirapine
epilepsy medicines such as carbamazepine, phenibarbitone and phenytoin
St John's wort
drugs used to stop the body from rejecting organ transplants such as cyclosporin
drugs used to prevent vomiting such as aprepitant
midazolam, a medicine used to treat acute seizures, or used as a sedative before or during surgery or a medical procedure
Such medicines may be affected by Afinitor or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.
Tell your doctor if you are taking anti-seizure medications and your dose changes.
A change in the dose of your medication (up or down) may require a change in Afinitor dose.
Tell your doctor if you need to receive a vaccination.
Some vaccines may be less effective if given when taking Afinitor.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.
How to take Afinitor
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the label ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
Treatment of kidney cancer, neuroendocrine tumours, hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative advanced breast cancer and TSC with angiomyolipoma of the kidney
Your doctor will tell you the dose that you should take. The usual dose is 10 mg taken once a day.
A higher or lower dose may be recommended in some situations (e.g. if you have liver problems).
Treatment of TSC with SEGA
Your doctor will tell you the dose that you need to take depending on your body size and other medicines you are taking.
Blood tests are necessary during treatment with Afinitor to measure the amount of Afinitor in your blood and find the appropriate daily dose for you.
Afinitor is not to be used in children and adolescents (below 18 years of age) who have liver problems.
Treatment of TSC with seizures
Your doctor will tell you the dose of Afinitor Dispersible Tablets you need to take depending on your body size, the health of your liver and other medicines you are taking. Blood tests are necessary during treatment with Afinitor to measure the amount of Afinitor in your blood and find the best daily dose for you. Follow carefully your doctor’s instructions about how much Afinitor to take.
Afinitor is not to be used in children below 2 years of age or in children and adolescents (below 18 years of age) who have liver problems.
How to take it
Take it consistently on an empty stomach or consistently after a light fat-free meal. Do not take it with a meal that is high in fat.
Dietary fats can interfere with the absorption of the tablet or dispersible tablet and stop it working properly.
Do not take it with grapefruit juice.
Grapefruit juice can interfere with the absorption of the tablet or dispersible tablet. Grapefruit, star fruit and Seville oranges should be avoided during treatment.
Afinitor Tablets
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew it.
If you cannot swallow Afinitor tablets whole, you can stir them into a glass of water:
Put the required tablet(s) into a glass of water (containing approximately 30 mL)
Gently stir the contents until the tablet(s) break apart and drink immediately
Rinse the glass with the same amount of water (approximately 30 mL) and drink the contents to make sure that you get the full dose of Afinitor
Afinitor Dispersible Tablets
Do not chew, crush, or swallow the Afinitor Dispersible Tablets whole.
Take Afinitor Dispersible Tablets as a suspension only. You can prepare the suspension in an oral syringe or in a small drinking glass.
Oral syringe
Remove the plunger from the oral syringe and put the prescribed number of dispersible tablets inside the 10mL syringe.
Re-insert the plunger and push it inward to make contact with the dispersible tablets.
Pull up about 5 mL of water into the syringe to cover the dispersible tablets. Then pull up about 4 mL of air.
Place the filled syringe into a container (tip up) and allow the dispersible tablets 3 minutes to disintegrate.
Gently turn the oral syringe upside down 5 times immediately prior to taking the medicine. Carefully remove the excess air and immediately dispense the full contents of the oral syringe directly into the mouth of the patient.
After taking the medicine, pull up about 5mL of water and 4 mL of air into the same syringe and swirl the contents and then put the entire contents of the syringe into the mouth of the patient.
If you have any questions, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Small drinking glass
Add approximately 25 mL (2 tablespoons) of water into a small drinking glass and add the prescribed number of dispersible tablets.
Allow the dispersible tablets to disintegrate for 3 minutes.
Stir the contents of the glass gently with a spoon and immediately drink the full amount.
Refill the glass with the same amount of water (about 25 mL), stir the contents with the same spoon to suspend remaining particles, and drink the entire content of the glass.
Instructions for use and handling of tablets and dispersible tablets
Caregivers are advised to avoid contact with suspensions of Afinitor tablets or dispersible tablets. Wash hands thoroughly before and after preparation of either suspension.
Take the tablet or dispersible tablet at the same time each day, preferably in the morning.
Taking it at the same time each day will help you remember when to take it. It will also help to keep a steady amount of the medicine in your bloodstream.
How long to take it
Keep taking this medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
If you forget to take it
If it is more than 6 hours after you normally take it, skip the tablet or dispersible tablet you missed and take your next tablet when you are meant to.
If it is less than 6 hours after you normally take it, you may still have the tablet or dispersible tablet. Then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Afinitor. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
While you are taking Afinitor
Things you must do
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Your doctor will do tests from time to time to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects.
You will have regular blood tests during treatment. These will monitor the amount of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets) in your body to see if Afinitor is having an unwanted effect on these cells. Blood tests will also be carried out to monitor your kidney function (levels of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen or urinary protein), liver function (level of transaminases) and your blood sugar levels, because these can also be affected by Afinitor.
Kidney failure has been observed in some patients receiving Afinitor. Your doctor will monitor your kidney function during your treatment with Afinitor.
Tell your doctor if you experience new or worsening cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain, shortness of breath or wheezing.
Patients may develop lung or breathing problems, such as pneumonitis, pulmonary embolism or acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Your doctor may need to change the amount of Afinitor you have, or add another medicine to help with this side effect.
Tell your doctor straight away if you have a temperature or chills, or another sign of an infection.
Afinitor can make you more likely to get an infection (such as infection of the lungs (pneumonia), infection of the urinary tract, fungal infection or viral infection such as infection of the liver (hepatitis B reactivation).You may need medical treatment. Some infections may be severe and may have fatal consequences in adults and children.
Tell your doctor if you experience pain or discomfort in the mouth or have open sores in the mouth.
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.
Make sure you use a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy during treatment with Afinitor. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
If you want to be vaccinated, tell your doctor you are taking Afinitor before you have the vaccination.
Afinitor may affect your response to vaccination. Some vaccines may not be suitable for you.
Tell your doctor if you are about to have surgery or if you have had recent surgery or if you still have an unhealed wound following surgery.
Afinitor can cause incisions to heal slowly or not heal well.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Afinitor.
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.
Things you must not do
Do not take Afinitor to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Afinitor affects you.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Afinitor.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
sore mouth, cold sores or mouth ulcers
dry mouth
dehydration
fatigue or unusual weakness
trouble sleeping (insomnia), aggression, irritability, feeling agitated, fits
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain
difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, disturbance or loss of taste, weight loss
heartburn
headache, dizziness
nose bleeds
absence of periods (amenorrhea) or irregular periods in females
swelling of hands, feet or limbs due to fluid retention
dry or red skin
rash and pain on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet
infections including inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages, middle or outer ear infection, gastric infection, sore throat and runny nose, skin infections, ringworm (a fungus infection of the skin), infections of the hair follicle, urinary tract infection, conjunctivitis, upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia
fever
cough, stuffy or runny nose
poor wound healing
mouth ulcers
nail disorders
acne
red, itching, oozing cysts which become scaly, crusted, or hardened
small, solid pink or red bumps on the skin
painful skin rash with small fluid-filled blisters in a limited area on one side of the body (left or right), often in a stripe (herpes zoster)
headache, pressure in the eyes, nose or cheek area which is a sign of swelling of the sinuses and nasal area
breathlessness
bleeding e.g. in the gut wall
cloudy urine
trouble walking (gait disturbance).
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately:
symptoms of an allergic reaction such as shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin
constant "flu-like" symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, aching joints and inflammation, swollen glands, cough, or any other signs of infection such as infection of a cut or scratch
burning sensation on urination or increased urgency to urinate
coughing, breathing problems, rapid breath or shortness of breath, which could be signs of a lung problem
shortness of breath or rapid breathing which could be a sign of a lung problem
fever, cough, difficulty breathing or wheezing
shortness of breath, swelling of the feet or legs which could be a sign of heart failure
sudden onset of shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing up blood which could be a sign of one or more blocked arteries in your lungs
symptoms of hepatitis B such as fever, skin rash, joint pain, inflammation, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), pain in the upper right abdomen, pale stool or dark urine
high level of sugar in the blood (diabetes), worsening of diabetes
swelling and/or pain in one of your legs, usually your calf, (redness or warm skin in the affected area)
swelling, feeling of heaviness or tightness, pain, limited movement of body parts which could be a sign of fluid build-up and a problem with your lymphatic system
The above list includes serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here or not yet known may happen in some people. Some of these side effects can only be found by laboratory testing (for example, high levels of cholesterol, lipids, or sugar in the blood).
After taking Afinitor
Storage
Keep the tablets or dispersible tablets in the original packet and foils until it is time to take them.
Store the tablets or dispersible tablets in a cool, dark and dry place at room temperature.
Do not store Afinitor or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.
Keep the medicine where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Afinitor Tablets
Afinitor tablets are white to yellowish and elongated with no score. Afinitor tablets are available in three different strengths, supplied in packs of 30, 50#, 60#, 100# and 120# tablets:
#not currently marketed
2.5mg: with "LCL" on one side and "NVR" on the other
5 mg: with "5" on one side and "NVR" on the other
10 mg: with "UHE" on one side and "NVR" on the other
Afinitor Dispersible Tablets#
The dispersible tablets are white to slightly yellowish, round, flat tablets with a bevelled edge and no score.
2 mg dispersible tablet: with "D2" on one side and "NVR" on the other
3 mg dispersible tablet: with "D3" on one side and "NVR" on the other
5 mg dispersible tablet: with "D5" on one side and "NVR" on the other.
#not currently marketed
Ingredients
Afinitor Tablets
Afinitor tablets contain 2.5, 5 and 10 mg of everolimus as the active ingredient. They also contain:
butylated hydroxytoluene
magnesium stearate
lactose
hypromellose
crospovidone
lactose anhydrous
Afinitor Dispersible Tablets
Afinitor dispersible tablets contain 2, 3 and 5 mg of everolimus as the active ingredient. They also contain:
butylated hydroxytoluene
magnesium stearate
lactose
hypromellose
crospovidone
mannitol
cellulose microcrystalline
silica colloidal anhydrous
This medicine does not contain sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
