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Afinitor is a medication that doctors prescribe to treat various types of cancer. The generic ingredient in Afinitor is called everolimus, which belongs to a group of medicines called protein kinase inhibitors.
Doctors prescribe Afinitor to treat several kinds of cancer in the breast, kidney, lung, pancreas, stomach and intestines. Doctors also prescribe this medication to treat brain and kidney tumours in patients with a genetic condition called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).
Afinitor is a type of targeted therapy, rather than traditional chemotherapy. Specifically, it is an mTOR (mammalian target for rapamycin) inhibitor. Everolimus interferes with the multiplication of cancer cells and slows their spread in the body.
Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dosage for your individual condition. The usual dose is 10mg taken orally once daily, at about the same time each day (preferably in the morning). Afinitor can be taken with or without food but should be taken the same way each time. Do not consume grapefruits, star fruit or Sevile oranges, as this may increase the amount of Everolimus to potentially harmful levels.
These may not be all the side effects of Afinitor.
If you are allergic to the active medicinal ingredient, everolimus, or any of the other ingredients in the formulation, do not take Afinitor.
Discuss your medical history with your doctor, especially if you have high cholesterol, low blood cell count, kidney problems, an infection, diabetes, liver disease or high triglyceride levels.
Store Afinitor at room temperature, away from light and humidity. Keep out of reach of children.