Zortress

Generic name: everolimus (Zortress) [ E-ver-OH-li-mus ]
Drug classes: MTOR inhibitors, Selective immunosuppressants

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Sep 7, 2021.

What is Zortress?

Zortress lowers your body''s immune system. The immune system helps your body fight infections. The immune system can also fight or "reject" a transplanted organ such as a liver or kidney. This is because the immune system treats the new organ as an invader.

The Zortress brand of everolimus is used to prevent organ rejection after a kidney or liver transplant. Zortress is used together with cyclosporine, steroids, and other medications.

Afinitor is another brand of everolimus used to treat certain types of cancer. This medication guide provides information only about about Zortress.

Warnings

Zortress may increase your risk of infection or certain cancer by changing the way your immune system works.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with everolimus. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as fever or chills.

Zortress can cause a blood clot in the vessels of your transplanted organ. Tell your doctor right away if you have: fever with nausea or vomiting, blood in your urine, dark colored urine, little or no urination, or pain in your stomach, groin, lower back, or side.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Zortress if you are allergic to everolimus or sirolimus.

Using Zortress can increase your risk of serious infections or getting certain cancers, such as lymphoma or skin cancer. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• problems digesting lactose or galactose (sugar);

• high cholesterol or triglycerides;

• liver disease;

• a heart transplant; or

• skin cancer in you or a family member.

Zortress may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control while you are using this medicine and for at least 8 weeks after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is important for women to use birth control because everolimus may harm the baby if a pregnancy does occur.

It is not known whether everolimus passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking Zortress.

How should I take Zortress?

Zortress is usually taken twice daily (every 12 hours). Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take this medicine at evenly spaced times with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

Take the medicine with or without food, but the same way each time. If you also take cyclosporine or tacrolimus, take both medications at the same time.

Do not crush or chew a Zortress tablet. Swallow the tablet whole.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Do not change doses or stop taking any of your medications without asking your doctor.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Zortress. The vaccine may not work as well and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), herpes zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Everolimus can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient''s body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from other laundry.

Everolimus may increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Grapefruit may interact with everolimus and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking Zortress.

Zortress side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Zortress: hives, itching, skin pain; difficult breathing; swelling in your hands, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with everolimus. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, swollen glands, or flu symptoms.

Zortress can cause a blood clot in the blood vessels of your transplanted organ, especially within 30 days after transplant. Tell your doctor right away if you have: fever with nausea or vomiting, blood in your urine, dark colored urine, little or no urination, or pain in your stomach, groin, lower back, or side.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• new or worsening cough, wheezing, breathing problems;

• redness, warmth, swelling, oozing, or slow healing of a wound or surgical incision;

• easy bruising, unusual bleeding;

• high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, headache, blurred vision; or

• low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet.

Common Zortress side effects may include:

• swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet;

• anemia, infections;

• urination problems;

• high blood pressure, increased cholesterol or triglycerides;

• stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation; or

• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Zortress?

Many drugs can interact with everolimus. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• cyclosporine or others medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection;

• St. John''s wort;

• an antibiotic or antifungal medicine;

• cholesterol medication;

• heart or blood pressure medicine;

• HIV medication;

• seizure medicine; or

• tuberculosis medication.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with everolimus. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Zortress only for the indication prescribed.

Frequently asked questions

• How much does Afinitor cost per month?
• How long can you take Afinitor for?
• How long can you take everolimus?
• What is everolimus used for and how does it work?
• How does Afinitor work?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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