Package Leaflet: Information for the User
Everolimus Stada, 5 mg, tablets
Everolimus Stada, 10 mg, tablets
Everolimus
Read all of this leaflet carefully before 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.
Contents of the pack and other information
- 1. What Everolimus Stada is and what it is used for
- 2. What you need to know before you take Everolimus Stada
- 3. How to take Everolimus Stada
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store Everolimus Stada
- 6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Everolimus Stada is and what it is used for
Everolimus Stada is an anti-cancer medicine that contains the active substance everolimus.
Everolimus reduces blood flow to the tumor and slows down the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Everolimus Stada is used to treat adult patients with:
- advanced breast cancer with hormone receptor-positive status in postmenopausal women, where other medicines (so-called "non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors") have stopped keeping the disease under control. This medicine is given in combination with exemestane, a steroid aromatase inhibitor used in hormonal anti-cancer treatment.
- advanced neuroendocrine tumors that originate from the pancreas. This medicine is given if the tumors are inoperable and do not secrete excessive amounts of specific hormones or other related natural substances.
- advanced kidney cancer (advanced renal cell carcinoma) when other medicines (so-called "anti-VEGF therapy") have been ineffective.
2. What you need to know before you take Everolimus Stada
Everolimus Stada should only be prescribed by a doctor with experience in the treatment of cancer. You must follow all the doctor's instructions. They may differ from the general information contained in this leaflet. If you need more information about Everolimus Stada or want to know why this medicine has been prescribed for you, you should ask your doctor.
When not to take Everolimus Stada
- If you are allergicto everolimus, to similar 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, you should ask your doctor for advice.
Warnings and precautions
Before taking Everolimus Stada, tell your doctor if:
- you have liver problems or diseases that may have affected your liver. In this case, your doctor may change the dose of Everolimus Stada.
- you have diabetes (high blood sugar levels). Everolimus Stada may increase your blood sugar levels and worsen your diabetes. This may require the administration of insulin and/or oral anti-diabetic medicines. You should tell your doctor if you feel excessively thirsty or if you urinate more frequently.
- you need to receive vaccinations during treatment with Everolimus Stada.
- you have high cholesterol levels. Everolimus Stada may increase your cholesterol levels and/or other fats in your blood.
- you have recently undergone major surgery or have unhealed wounds, as a result of surgery. Everolimus Stada may interfere with wound healing.
- you have an infection. Before starting treatment with Everolimus Stada, it may be necessary to treat any existing infection.
- you have had hepatitis B in the past, as it may reactivate during treatment with Everolimus Stada (see section 4 "Possible side effects").
- you are going to receive or have received radiotherapy.
Everolimus Stada may also:
- weaken your immune system. Therefore, you may be at risk of infection while taking Everolimus Stada. If you have a fever or other signs of infection, you should consult your doctor. Some infections can be severe and life-threatening.
- affect kidney function. Therefore, during treatment with Everolimus Stada, your doctor will monitor your kidney function.
- cause shortness of breath, cough, and fever.
- cause the development of mouth ulcers and sores. Your doctor may interrupt or stop treatment with Everolimus Stada. You may need treatment with mouthwashes, gels, or other products. Some mouthwashes and gels may worsen ulcers, so you should not try anything without consulting your doctor. Your doctor may restart treatment with Everolimus Stada at the same or lower dose.
- cause radiation therapy complications. Severe radiation reactions (such as shortness of breath, nausea, diarrhea, skin rash, and mouth pain, throat pain), including fatal cases, have been observed in some patients taking everolimus at the same time as radiotherapy or taking everolimus shortly after radiotherapy. Additionally, in patients who have undergone radiotherapy in the past, a so-called radiation recall syndrome (including skin redness or lung inflammation at the site of previous radiotherapy) has been reported. You should inform your doctor about planned radiotherapy in the near future or previous radiotherapy.
Tell your doctorif you experience any of these symptoms.
During treatment, you will undergo regular blood tests to monitor the number of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets) and to check if Everolimus Stada has a negative effect on blood cells. Blood tests will also be performed to monitor kidney function (creatinine levels), liver function (transaminase activity), and blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as Everolimus Stada may affect these parameters.
Children and adolescents
Everolimus Stada should not be used in children and adolescents (under 18 years of age).
Everolimus Stada and other medicines
Everolimus Stada may affect the action of other medicines. If you are taking other medicines at the same time as Everolimus Stada, your doctor may change the dose of Everolimus Stada or other medicines.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking now or have recently taken, as well as any medicines you plan to take.
The following medicines taken with Everolimus Stada may increase the risk of side effects:
- ketokonazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, or fluconazole, and other antifungal medicines used to treat fungal infections.
- clarithromycin, telithromycin, or erythromycin, antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections.
- ritonavir and other medicines used to treat HIV/AIDS.
- verapamil or diltiazem used to treat heart disease or high blood pressure.
- dronedarone, a medicine that helps restore a regular heart rhythm.
- cyclosporine, a medicine used to prevent transplant rejection.
- imatinib, which inhibits the growth of abnormal cells.
- angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (such as ramipril) used to treat high blood pressure or other heart problems.
- nefazodone used to treat depression.
- cannabidiol (used, among other things, to treat seizures).
The following medicines may decrease the effectiveness of Everolimus Stada:
- rifampicin used to treat tuberculosis.
- efavirenz or nevirapine used to treat HIV/AIDS.
- St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum), a herbal product used to treat depression and other disorders.
- dexamethasone, a corticosteroid used to treat various diseases, including inflammatory conditions or immune system disorders.
- phenytoin, carbamazepine, or phenobarbital, and other anti-seizure medicines used to control various types of seizures.
Avoid taking these medicines during treatment with Everolimus Stada. If you are taking any of these medicines, your doctor may replace them with another medicine or change the dose of Everolimus Stada.
Taking Everolimus Stada with food and drink
Avoid eating grapefruits and drinking grapefruit juice during treatment with Everolimus Stada. This may increase the amount of Everolimus Stada in your blood to a potentially harmful level.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and fertility
Pregnancy
Do not take Everolimus Stada during pregnancy, as it may harm your unborn baby.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Your doctor will tell you if you can take Everolimus Stada during pregnancy.
Women who may become pregnant should use highly effective contraception during treatment and for 8 weeks after the end of treatment. If, despite these measures, you suspect you may be pregnant, you should consult your doctor beforetaking the next dose of Everolimus Stada.
Breastfeeding
Everolimus Stada may harm your breastfed baby. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 2 weeks after the last dose of Everolimus Stada. If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor.
Female fertility
Some female patients taking everolimus have experienced amenorrhea (absence of menstruation).
Everolimus Stada may affect female fertility. You should discuss this with your doctor if you plan to have children.
Male fertility
Everolimus Stada may affect male fertility. You should tell your doctor if you plan to father a child.
Driving and using machines
If you experience fatigue of unknown cause (fatigue is a very common side effect), you should be cautious when driving or operating machinery.
Everolimus Stada contains lactose
Everolimus Stada contains lactose. If you have been told that you have an intolerance to some sugars, you should contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
3. How to take Everolimus Stada
Take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
The recommended dose is 10 mg, taken once a day. Your doctor will determine how many Everolimus Stada tablets you should take.
In case of liver problems, your doctor may start treatment with a lower dose of Everolimus Stada (2.5, 5, or 7.5 mg per day).
In case of certain side effects during treatment with Everolimus Stada (see section 4), your doctor may reduce the dose or interrupt treatment for a short time or permanently.
Take Everolimus Stada once a day, at the same time of day, always in the same way, 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 Stada than you should
- If you have taken more Everolimus Stada than you should, or if someone else has taken your tablets, you should immediately go to your doctor or hospital. Medical attention may be necessary.
- Show your doctor the carton of the medicine and this leaflet to determine which medicine has been overdosed.
If you forget to take Everolimus Stada
If you forget to take a dose, take the next planned dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed tablets.
If you stop taking Everolimus Stada
Do not stop taking Everolimus Stada unless your doctor tells you to.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, 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 Stada and seek medical help immediatelyif you have any of the following allergic reactions:
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- severe itching of the skin, with redness and hives
Serious side effects of Everolimus Stada include:
Very common(may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- increased body temperature, chills (infection symptoms)
- fever, cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing (pneumonia symptoms)
Common(may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- excessive thirst, excessive urination, increased appetite with weight loss, easy fatigue (diabetes symptoms)
- bleeding (e.g., gastrointestinal bleeding)
- severe reduction in urine output (kidney failure symptom)
Uncommon(may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- fever, rash, joint pain, and swelling, as well as easy fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), pain in the upper right abdomen, pale stools, dark urine (may be symptoms of hepatitis B reactivation)
- shortness of breath, difficulty breathing when lying down, swelling of the feet or ankles (heart failure symptoms)
- swelling and/or pain in one leg, usually the calf, redness and warmth of the skin in the affected area (symptoms of a blood clot in a vein in the leg)
- shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood (potential symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs)
- reduced urine output, swelling of the feet, confusion, back pain (symptoms of sudden kidney failure)
- rash, itching, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, dizziness (symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, also known as hypersensitivity)
Rare(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
- shortness of breath or rapid breathing (symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome)
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these side effects, as they can be life-threatening.
Other possible side effects of Everolimus Stada include:
Very common(may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)
- loss of appetite
- taste disturbance
- headache
- nosebleeds
- cough
- mouth ulcers
- upset stomach, including nausea and diarrhea
- skin rash
- itching
- feeling weak or tired
- fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin, symptoms of low red blood cell count (anemia)
- swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or other parts of the body (edema symptoms)
- weight loss
- high levels of fats in the blood (hypercholesterolemia)
Common(may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- appearance of sudden bleeding or bruising (symptoms of low platelet count, also known as thrombocytopenia)
- shortness of breath
- feeling thirsty, low urine output, dark urine, dry red skin, irritability (dehydration symptoms)
- sleep problems (insomnia)
- headache, dizziness (high blood pressure symptoms, also known as hypertension)
- swelling of part or all of the hand (including fingers) or foot (including toes), feeling heavy, limited movement, discomfort (possible symptoms of lymphedema)
- fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers caused by infection (symptoms of low white blood cell count, leukopenia, lymphopenia, and/or neutropenia)
- fever
- inflammation of the lining of the mouth, stomach, or intestines
- dry mouth
- heartburn (indigestion)
- vomiting
- difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- abdominal pain
- acne
- rash and pain on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet (hand-foot syndrome)
- skin redness
- joint pain
- mouth pain
- menstrual disorders, such as irregular menstrual bleeding
- high levels of fats in the blood (hyperlipidemia, increased triglycerides)
- low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia)
- low phosphate levels in the blood (hypophosphatemia)
- low calcium levels in the blood (hypocalcemia)
- dry skin, peeling skin, skin conditions
- nail disorders, brittle nails
- mild hair loss
- abnormal liver function test results
- abnormal kidney function test results
- swelling of the eyelids
- protein in the urine
Uncommon(may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- weakness, unexpected bleeding or bruising, and frequent infections, with symptoms such as fever, chills, sore throat, or mouth ulcers (symptoms of low blood cell count, also known as pancytopenia)
- loss of taste
- coughing up blood
- menstrual disorders, such as absence of menstruation
- increased urination during the day
- chest pain
- problems with wound healing
- hot flashes
- eye discharge with itching and redness, conjunctivitis, or red eye
Rare(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
- fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, pale skin (symptoms of low red blood cell count, possibly due to a condition called pure red cell aplasia)
- swelling of the face, around the eyes, lips, inside the mouth, and/or throat, as well as difficulty breathing and swallowing (known as angioedema), may be symptoms of an allergic reaction
Frequency not known(cannot be estimated from the available data)
- radiation recall syndrome, e.g., skin redness or lung inflammation at the site of previous radiotherapy
- worsening of radiation therapy side effects
If any of the above side effects worsen, you should inform your doctor or pharmacist. Most side effects are mild or moderate and should improve after stopping treatment for a few days.
Reporting side effects
If you experience any side effects, including those not listed in this leaflet, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects directly to the Department of Drug Safety Monitoring, Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products, Al. Jerozolimskie 181C, 02-222 Warsaw, Tel.: +48 22 49 21 301, Fax: +48 22 49 21 309, e-mail: ndl@urpl.gov.pl. You can also report side effects to the marketing authorization holder. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Everolimus Stada
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. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
There are no special storage instructions for this medicine. Store in the original package to protect from light.
Open the blister just before taking the tablet.
Do not use this medicine if there are signs of damage or attempted opening.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Everolimus Stada contains
- The active substance is everolimus. Each Everolimus Stada 5 mg tablet contains 5 mg of everolimus. Each Everolimus Stada 10 mg tablet contains 10 mg of everolimus.
- The other ingredients are: Butylhydroxytoluene (E321) Hypromellose 3 mPa·s (E464) Lactose Crospovidone Type A (E1202) Magnesium stearate
What Everolimus Stada looks like and contents of the pack
Everolimus Stada 5 mg tablets are white or almost white, oval, flat tablets with "EVR" engraved on one side and "5" on the other, 12 mm long and 5 mm wide.
Everolimus Stada 10 mg tablets are white or almost white, oval, flat tablets with "EVR" engraved on one side and "NAT" on the other, 15 mm long and 6 mm wide.
Everolimus Stada 5 mg and 10 mg are available in packs of 10, 30, 90 tablets or 10x1, 30x1, 90x1 tablets (single-dose blisters).
Not all pack sizes and strengths may be marketed.
Marketing authorization holder
STADA Arzneimittel AG
Stadastrasse 2-18
61118 Bad Vilbel
Germany
Manufacturer/Importer
STADA Arzneimittel AG
Stadastrasse 2-18
61118 Bad Vilbel
Germany
STADA Arzneimittel GmbH
Muthgasse 36/2
1190 Vienna
Austria
Genepharm S.A.
18th Km Marathonos Avenue
153 51 Pallini Attiki
Greece
Pharmadox Healthcare Ltd
KW20A Kordin Industrial Park
PLA 3000 Paola
Malta
Pharmacare Premium Ltd
HHF003 Hal Far Industrial Estate
BBG3000 Birzebbugia
Malta
This medicinal product is authorized in the Member States of the European Economic Area under the following names:
Austria:
Everolimus STADA 2.5 mg Tabletten
Everolimus STADA 5 mg Tabletten
Everolimus STADA 10 mg Tabletten
Belgium:
Everolimus EG 2.5 mg tabletten
Everolimus EG 5 mg tabletten
Everolimus EG 10 mg tabletten
Czech Republic:
Everolimus STADA
Germany:
Everolimus AL 2.5 mg Tabletten
Everolimus AL 5 mg Tabletten
Everolimus AL 10 mg Tabletten
Denmark:
Everolimus STADA
Spain:
Everolimus STADA 2.5 mg comprimidos EFG
Everolimus STADA 5 mg comprimidos EFG
Everolimus STADA 10 mg comprimidos EFG
Finland:
Everolimus STADA 2.5 mg/ 5 mg/ 10 mg tabletti
France:
EVEROLIMUS EG 2.5 mg, comprimé
EVEROLIMUS EG 5 mg, comprimé
EVEROLIMUS EG 10 mg, comprimé
Croatia:
Everolimus STADA 2.5/5/10 mg tablete
Italy:
Everolimus EG
Luxembourg:
Everolimus EG 2.5 mg comprimé
Everolimus EG 5 mg comprimé
Everolimus EG 10 mg comprimé
Netherlands:
Everolimus CF 2.5 mg, tabletten
Everolimus CF 5 mg, tabletten
Everolimus CF 10 mg, tabletten
Poland:
Everolimus STADA
Sweden:
Everolimus STADA 2.5 mg/5 mg/10 mg tabletter
Slovakia:
EVEROLIMUS STADA 2.5 mg
EVEROLIMUS STADA 5 mg
EVEROLIMUS STADA 10 mg
Date of last revision of the leaflet:04/2023