Afinitor ®

Everolimus is the generic name of Afinitor. This is a classified under the mTOR inhibitor. It is used to treat renal cell cancer in the advanced stages where other drugs like sunitinib and sorafenib have failed to give positive response.

How is Afinitor administered?

This is an oral cancer drug and should be taken at the same time everyday with your meals or without. This medication is to be swallowed completely without chewing or crushing it. Avoid direct contact with the crushed or broken tablet.

It comes with two different powers i.e. one of 5mg which is slightly yellowish in color and is elongated with a beveled edges engraved with 5mg on one side and NVR engraved on the other side.

The other is a 10mg tablet again slightly yellowish in color with elongated beveled edge with UHE engraved on one side and NVR on the other side. The dosage depends upon the guidelines as prescribed by your medical practice nor.

What are the side effects associated with Afinitor?

Listed below are some side effects but that does not mean you will be affected by all these side effects. There are some remarkable side effects seen at the onset of the treatment which remains throughout the treatment cycle and disappears after the end of the treatment cycle. These side effects are reversible.

There are preventive measures to minimize the effect of Afinitor. Common side effects are low blood count of both red blood cells and white blood cells leading to anemia and other infections. There is a remarkable increase in the level of cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, low level of phosphorus, mouth sores etc.

You need to consult your doctor if some of the below mentioned signs and symptoms persists - Fever with chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding in stools and urine, burning while passing urine, fatigue, mouth sores etc.

Precautions

You need to tell your doctor all about the medications that you are presently on which includes vitamin and herbal medications. Consult your doctor before getting any immunization or vaccination; you also need to inform your doctor about any impending pregnancy as Afinitor can be fatal to the fetus, breast feeding should be avoided, you need to take precautions against pregnancy.

Self help tips

You need to increase the intake of fluids, avoid crowded places to prevent risk of infection, use soft bristle toothbrush to prevent mouth sores, avoid exposure to direct sun, use protective clothes, maintain a healthy and nutritious diet, avoid alcohol and alcoholic drinks etc. Get your blood check up done regularly to monitor proper functioning of the internal organs.

Target therapy is basically dedicated to differentiate the cancer cells from those of the normal cells and then target only those affected cancer cells and leave the normal healthy cells to grow and help speedy recovery. This therapy helps stop the further division of cell structure and also helps repair the cell growth. This mode of treatment starves the cancer cells thus destroying them or inducing self destruction. It also helps reduce the growth of vascular endothelial growth factor or VEGF which is involved in the growth and development of new blood cells and blood vessels in the body.