Zortress (Everolimus)

Description

Zortress (everolimus) is a medication prescribed to prevent organ rejection in kidney or liver transplant adult patients.

Zortress comes in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.75 mg, and 1 mg tablets to be taken by mouth.

Directions

Zortress should be taken as prescribed by your doctor. Any questions or concerns can be answered by your doctor or pharmacist.

Recommended Starting Dose

For kidney transplantation:

Take 0.75 mg orally twice daily. Start taking it as soon as possible after the transplant.

For liver plantation:

Take 1 mg orally twice daily. Start taking it 30 days after the transplant.

Patients who have liver function problems may need a lower dose.

Ingredients

Everolimus is the active ingredient in Zortress. Butylated hydroxytoluene, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate, hypromellose, crospovidone, and lactose anhydrous are the inactive ingredients included.

Contraindications

If you have an allergy to everolimus, sirolimus, or to any of the other ingredients in the medication, you should not take Zortress.

Cautions

The following FDA Boxed Warning is associated with Zortress:

• Zortress should only be prescribed by physicians who have experience in immunosuppressive therapy and management of transplant patients

• Immunosuppression caused by Zortress can increase the risk of infection and malignancies

• Kidney graft thrombosis may occur more often

• When taking cyclosporine with Zortress, the dose of cyclosporine should be reduced to prevent kidney problems

• Zortress is not recommended for use in heart transplantation, as there has been increased mortality in a clinical trial

• Before starting treatment with Zortress, talk to your doctor about:
• All prescription and nonprescription medications you take
• Any allergies you may have
• Your past medical history and current health issues
• Your pregnancy status
• Your breastfeeding status
• Angioedema, or swelling underneath the skin, may be caused by Zortress. The risk is increased if you take Zortress with other medications that can cause angioedema, including blood pressure medications like angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
• Wounds may have a longer healing time and wound-related complications may occur more frequently with Zortress use.
• Some patients taking Zortress have experienced interstitial lung disease.
• Zortress may cause an increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Protein may be present in the urine while taking Zortress.
• An increased risk for opportunistic infections such as polyoma virus infections may be caused by Zortress.
• An increased risk of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)/hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) may be caused by taking Zortress with cyclosporine.
• An increased risk of diabetes after transplant may be caused by Zortress. Closely monitor blood sugar levels.
• A fetus may be harmed by Zortress. Women are recommended to use effective contraception during treatment and for 8 weeks after taking the last dose.
• Male infertility may be caused by Zortress.
• Live vaccines should not be administered to patients who take Zortress.
• Grapefruit or grapefruit juice should not be consumed while taking Zortress with cyclosporine or tacrolimus.
• If you have rare hereditary disorders of galactose intolerance such as Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption, you should avoid taking Zortress.

Side Effects

Some, but not all, side effects associated with Zortress include the following: swelling, constipation, high blood pressure, nausea, anemia, urinary tract infection, elevated lipid levels, diarrhea, headache, fever, stomach pain, low white blood cell count, and high cholesterol levels. Immediately talk to your doctor if you develop bothersome or persistent side effects.

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Reference:

Zortress. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; 2021.

About Dr. Savannah Muncy (Page Author)

Dr. Muncy (PharmD) studied science and education as an undergraduate before attending the Appalachian College of Pharmacy where she completed her PharmD in three years. She is currently using her pharmacy and healthcare expertise to write medical content for clients all around the world. She is focused on delivering the most current, accurate, and engaging information to healthcare professionals and patients. Read More....