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Everolimus Ethypharm 2.5 mg tablets

Active Ingredient:
everolimus
Company:  
Ethypharm UK Ltd See contact details
ATC code: 
L01EG02
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About Medicine
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine.
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Last updated on emc: 17 Nov 2022

Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet (ePIL).

The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on {phone} 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 06934/0211.

Everolimus Ethypharm 5 mg tablets

Package leaflet: Information for the patient

Everolimus Ethypharm 2.5 mg tablets

Everolimus Ethypharm 5 mg tablets

Everolimus Ethypharm 10 mg tablets

everolimus

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
  • Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
  • If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
  • This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
  • If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Everolimus Ethypharm is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Everolimus Ethypharm
3. How to take Everolimus Ethypharm
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Everolimus Ethypharm
6. Content of the pack and other information

1. What Everolimus Ethypharm is and what it is used for

Everolimus Ethypharm is an anticancer medicine containing the active substance everolimus. Everolimus reduces the blood supply to the tumour and slows down the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Everolimus Ethypharm is used to treat adult patients with:

  • hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women, in whom other treatments (so called “non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors”) no longer keep the disease under control. It is given together with a medicine called exemestane, a steroidal aromatase inhibitor, which is used for hormonal anticancer therapy.
  • advanced tumours called neuroendocrine tumours that originate from the stomach, bowels, lung or pancreas. It is given if the tumours are inoperable and do not overproduce specific hormones or other related natural substances.
  • advanced kidney cancer (advanced renal cell carcinoma), where other treatments (so-called “VEGF-targeted therapy”) have not helped stop your disease.

2. What you need to know before you take Everolimus Ethypharm

Everolimus Ethypharm will only be prescribed for you by a doctor with experience in cancer treatment. Follow all the doctor’s instructions carefully. They may differ from the general information contained in this leaflet. If you have any questions about Everolimus Ethypharm or why it has been prescribed for you, ask your doctor.

Do not take Everolimus Ethypharm
  • if you are allergic to everolimus, to related substances such as sirolimus or temsirolimus, or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

If you think you may be allergic, ask your doctor for advice.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before taking Everolimus Ethypharm:

  • if you have any problems with your liver or if you have ever had any disease which may have affected your liver. If this is the case, your doctor may need to prescribe a different dose of Everolimus Ethypharm.
  • if you have diabetes (high level of sugar in your blood). Everolimus Ethypharm may increase blood sugar levels and worsen diabetes mellitus. This may result in the need for insulin and/or oral antidiabetic agent therapy. Tell your doctor if you experience any excessive thirst or increased frequency of urination.
  • if you need to receive a vaccine while taking Everolimus Ethypharm.
  • if you have high cholesterol. Everolimus Ethypharm may elevate cholesterol and/or other blood fats.
  • if you have had recent major surgery, or if you still have an unhealed wound following surgery. Everolimus Ethypharm may increase the risk of problems with wound healing.
  • if you have an infection. It may be necessary to treat your infection before starting Everolimus Ethypharm.
  • if you have previously had hepatitis B, because this may be reactivated during treatment with Everolimus Ethypharm (see section 4 ‘Possible side effects’).
  • if you have received or are about to receive radiation therapy.

Everolimus Ethypharm may also:

  • weaken your immune system. Therefore, you may be at risk of getting an infection while you are taking Everolimus Ethypharm. If you have fever or other signs of an infection, consult with your doctor.
  • Some infections may be severe and may have fatal consequences.
  • impact your kidney function. Therefore, your doctor will monitor your kidney function while you are taking Everolimus Ethypharm.
  • cause shortness of breath, cough and fever.
  • cause mouth ulcers and sores to develop. Your doctor might need to interrupt or discontinue your treatment with Everolimus Ethypharm. 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. Your doctor might restart treatment with Everolimus Ethypharm at the same dose or at a lower dose.
  • cause complications of radiation therapy. Severe complications of radiotherapy (such as shortness of breath, nausea, diarrhoea, skin rashes and soreness in mouth, gums and throat), including fatal cases, have been observed in some patients who were taking everolimus at the same time as radiation therapy or who were taking everolimus shortly after they had radiation therapy. In addition, so-called radiation recall syndrome (comprising skin redness or lung inflammation at the site of previous radiation therapy) has been reported in patients who had radiation therapy in the past.
    Tell your doctor if you are planning to have radiation therapy in the near future, or if you have had radiation therapy before.

Tell your doctor if you experience these symptoms.

You will have regular blood tests during treatment. These will check the amount of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets) in your body to see if Everolimus Ethypharm is having an unwanted effect on these cells. Blood tests will also be carried out to check your kidney function (level of creatinine) and liver function (level of transaminases) and your blood sugar and cholesterol levels. This is because these can also be affected by Everolimus Ethypharm.

Children and adolescents

Everolimus Ethypharm is not to be used in children or adolescents (age below 18 years).

Other medicines and Everolimus Ethypharm

Everolimus Ethypharm may affect the way some other medicines work. If you are taking other medicines at the same time as Everolimus Ethypharm, your doctor may need to change the dose of Everolimus Ethypharm or the other medicines.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

The following may increase the risk of side effects with Everolimus Ethypharm:

  • ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, or fluconazole and other antifungals used to treat fungal infections.
  • clarithromycin, telithromycin or erythromycin, antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections.
  • ritonavir and other medicines used to treat HIV infection/AIDS.
  • verapamil or diltiazem, used to treat heart conditions or high blood pressure.
  • dronedarone, a medicine used to help regulate your heart beat.
  • ciclosporin, a medicine used to stop the body from rejecting organ transplants.
  • imatinib, used to inhibit the growth of abnormal cells.
  • angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (such as ramipril) used to treat high blood pressure or other cardiovascular problems.
  • nefazodone, used to treat depression.
  • cannabidiol (uses amongst others include treatment of seizures).

The following may reduce the effectiveness of Everolimus Ethypharm:

  • rifampicin, used to treat tuberculosis (TB).
  • efavirenz or nevirapine, used to treat HIV infection/AIDS.
  • St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), a herbal product used to treat depression and other conditions.
  • dexamethasone, a corticosteroid used to treat a wide variety of conditions including inflammatory or immune problems.
  • phenytoin, carbamazepine or phenobarbital and other anti-epileptics used to stop seizures or fits.

These medicines should be avoided during your treatment with Everolimus Ethypharm. If you are taking any of them, your doctor may switch you to a different medicine, or may change your dose of Everolimus Ethypharm.

Everolimus Ethypharm with food and drink

Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while you are on Everolimus Ethypharm. It may increase the amount of Everolimus Ethypharm in the blood, possibly to a harmful level.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

Pregnancy

Everolimus Ethypharm could harm an unborn baby and is not recommended during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or think that you may be pregnant. Your doctor will discuss with you whether you should take this medicine during your pregnancy.

Women who could potentially become pregnant should use highly effective contraception during treatment and for up to 8 weeks after ending treatment. If, despite these measures, you think you may have become pregnant, ask your doctor for advice before taking any more Everolimus Ethypharm.

Breast-feeding

Everolimus Ethypharm could harm a breast-fed baby. You should not breast-feed during treatment and for 2 weeks after the last dose of Everolimus Ethypharm. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Female fertility

Absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhoea) has been observed in some female patients receiving Everolimus Ethypharm.

Everolimus Ethypharm may have an impact on female fertility. Talk to your doctor if you wish to have children.

Male fertility

Everolimus Ethypharm may affect male fertility. Talk to your doctor if you wish to father a child.

Driving and using machines

If you feel unusually tired (fatigue is a very common side effect), take special care when driving or using machines.

Everolimus Ethypharm contains lactose

Everolimus Ethypharm contains lactose (milk sugar). If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

3. How to take Everolimus Ethypharm

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

The recommended dose is 10 mg, taken once a day. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets of Everolimus Ethypharm to take.

If you have liver problems, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of Everolimus Ethypharm (2.5, 5 or 7.5 mg per day).

If you experience certain side effects while you are taking Everolimus Ethypharm (see section 4), your doctor may lower your dose or stop treatment, either for a short time or permanently.

Take Everolimus Ethypharm once a day, at about the same time every day, consistently either with or without food.

Swallow the tablet(s) whole with a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the tablets.

If you take more Everolimus Ethypharm than you should
  • If you have taken too much Everolimus Ethypharm, or if someone else accidentally takes your tablets, see a doctor or go to a hospital immediately. Urgent treatment may be necessary.
  • Take the carton and this leaflet, so that the doctor knows what has been taken.

If you forget to take Everolimus Ethypharm

If you miss a dose, take your next dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten tablets.

If you stop taking Everolimus Ethypharm

Do not stop taking Everolimus Ethypharm unless your doctor tells you to.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking Everolimus Ethypharm and seek medical help immediately if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction:

  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
  • severe itching of the skin, with a red rash or raised bumps

Serious side effects of Everolimus Ethypharm include:

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

  • increased temperature, chills (signs of infection)
  • fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing (signs of inflammation of the lung, also known as pneumonitis)

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

  • excessive thirst, high urine output, increased appetite with weight loss, tiredness (signs of diabetes)
  • bleeding (haemorrhage), for example in the gut wall
  • severely decreased urine output (sign of kidney failure)

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

  • fever, skin rash, joint pain and inflammation, as well as tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), pain in the upper right abdomen, pale stools, dark urine (may be signs of hepatitis B reactivation)
  • breathlessness, difficulty breathing when lying down, swelling of the feet or legs (signs of heart failure)
  • swelling and/or pain in one of the legs, usually in the calf, redness or warm skin in the affected area (signs of blockade of a blood vessel (vein) in the legs caused by blood clotting)
  • sudden onset of shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing up blood (potential signs of pulmonary embolism, a condition that occurs when one or more arteries in your lungs become blocked)
  • severely decreased urine output, swelling in the legs, feeling confused, pain in the back (signs of sudden kidney failure)
  • rash, itching, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, dizziness (signs of serious allergic reaction, also known as hypersensitivity)

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

  • shortness of breath or rapid breath (signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome)

If you experience any of these side effects, tell your doctor immediately as this might have life-threatening consequences.

Other possible side effects of Everolimus Ethypharm include:

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

  • high level of sugar in the blood (hyperglycaemia)
  • loss of appetite
  • disturbed taste (dysgeusia)
  • headache
  • nose bleeds (epistaxis)
  • cough
  • mouth ulcers
  • upset stomach including feeling sick (nausea) or diarrhoea
  • skin rash
  • itching (pruritus)
  • feeling weak or tired
  • tiredness, breathlessness, dizziness, pale skin, signs of low level of red blood cells (anaemia)
  • swelling of arms, hands, feet, ankles or other part of the body (signs of oedema)
  • weight loss
  • high level of lipids (fats) in the blood (hypercholesterolaemia)

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

  • spontaneous bleeding or bruising (signs of low level of platelets, also known as thrombocytopenia)
  • breathlessness (dyspnoea)
  • thirst, low urine output, dark urine, dry flushed skin, irritability (signs of dehydration)
  • trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • headache, dizziness (sign of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension)
  • swelling of part or all of your arm (including fingers) or leg (including toes), feeling of heaviness, restricted movement, discomfort (possible symptoms of lymphoedema)
  • fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers due to infections (signs of low level of white blood cells, leukopenia, lymphopenia and/or neutropenia)
  • fever
  • inflammation of the inner lining of the mouth, stomach, gut
  • dry mouth
  • heartburn (dyspepsia)
  • being sick (vomiting)
  • difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
  • abdominal pain
  • acne
  • rash and pain on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet (hand-foot syndrome)
  • reddening of the skin (erythema)
  • joint pain
  • pain in the mouth
  • menstruation disorders such as irregular periods
  • high level of lipids (fats) in the blood (hyperlipidaemia, raised triglycerides)
  • low level of potassium in the blood (hypokalaemia)
  • low level of phosphate in the blood (hypophosphataemia)
  • low level of calcium in the blood (hypocalcaemia)
  • dry skin, skin exfoliation, skin lesions
  • nail disorders, breaking of your nails
  • mild loss of hair
  • abnormal results of liver blood tests (increased alanine and aspartate aminotransferase)
  • abnormal results of renal blood tests (increased creatinine)
  • swelling of the eyelid
  • protein in the urine

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

  • weakness, spontaneous bleeding or bruising and frequent infections with signs such as fever, chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers (signs of low level of blood cells, also known as pancytopenia)
  • loss of sense of taste (ageusia)
  • coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
  • menstruation disorders such as absence of periods (amenorrhoea)
  • passing urine more often during daytime
  • chest pain
  • abnormal wound healing
  • hot flushes
  • discharge from the eye with itching and redness, pink eye or red eye (conjunctivitis)

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

  • tiredness, breathlessness, dizziness, pale skin (signs of low level of red blood cells, possibly due to a type of anaemia called pure red cell aplasia)
  • swelling of the face, around the eyes, mouth, and inside the mouth and/or throat, as well as the tongue and difficulty breathing or swallowing (also known as angioedema), may be signs of an allergic reaction

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)

  • reaction at the site of previous radiation therapy, e.g. skin redness or lung inflammation (so-called radiation recall syndrome)
  • worsening of radiation treatment side effects

If these side effects get severe please tell your doctor and/or pharmacist. Most of the side effects are mild to moderate and will generally disappear if your treatment is interrupted for a few days.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Everolimus Ethypharm

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister foil. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Everolimus Ethypharm 2.5 mg: Do not store above 25°C.

Everolimus Ethypharm 5 mg and 10 mg: This medicinal product does not require any special temperature storage conditions.

Store in the original package in order to protect from light.

Open the blister just before taking the tablets.

Do not use this medicine if any pack is damaged or shows signs of tampering.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. Content of the pack and other information
What Everolimus Ethypharm contains
  • The active substance is everolimus.
    Each tablet of Everolimus Ethypharm 2.5 mg contains 2.5 mg everolimus.
    Each tablet of Everolimus Ethypharm 5 mg contains 5 mg everolimus..
    Each tablet of Everolimus Ethypharm 10 mg contains 10 mg everolimus.
  • The other ingredients are butylhydroxytoluene (E 321), hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, crospovidone, lactose, magnesium stearate.

What Everolimus Ethypharm looks like and contents of the pack

Everolimus Ethypharm 2.5 mg tablets are white to off-white oblong, 9.6 x 4.5 mm tablets. They are engraved with “2.5” on one side and “E” on the other.

Everolimus Ethypharm 5 mg tablets are white to off-white oblong, 12.5 x 5.0 mm tablets. They are engraved with “5” on one side and “E” on the other.

Everolimus Ethypharm 10 mg tablets are white to off-white oblong, 16.0 x 6.5 mm tablets. They are engraved with “10” on one side and “E” on the other.

Everolimus Ethypharm 2.5 mg is available in packs containing 30 or 90 tablets.

Everolimus Ethypharm 5 mg and Everolimus Ethypharm 10 mg are available in packs containing 10, 30 or 90 tablets.

Not all pack sizes or strengths may be marketed in your country.

Marketing Authorisation Holder
Ethypharm
194, Bureaux de la Colline, Bâtiment D
92213 Saint-Cloud cedex
France

Manufacturer
Ethypharm
Chemin de la Poudrière
76120 Le Grand Quevilly
France

Ethypharm
Z.I. de Saint-Arnoult
28170 Châteauneuf-en-Thymerais
France

This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:

Sweden : Everolimus Ethypharm 2,5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, tabletter

Austria: Everolimus Ethypharm 2,5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, tabletten

Denmark: Everolimus Ethypharm 2,5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, tabletter

Finland: Everolimus Ethypharm 2,5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, tabletti

Germany : Everolimus Ethypharm 2,5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, tabletten

Italy : Everolimus Ethypharm

Netherlands: Everolimus Ethypharm 2,5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, tabletten

Norway: Everolimus Ethypharm

Portugal: Everolimus Ethypharm 2,5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, comprimidos

Spain: Everolimus Ethypharm 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, comprimidos EFG

United Kingdom : Everolimus Ethypharm 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, tablets

For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:

United Kingdom
Ethypharm UK

This leaflet was last revised in June 2022.

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the web site of: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Ethypharm UK Ltd
Company image
Address
Jupiter House, Mercury Park, Wooburn Green, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP10 0HH
Telephone
+44 (0) 1277 266 600
Medical Information e-mail
[email protected]