Zortress
Generic name:everolimus (Zortress) [ E-ver-OH-li-mus ]
Drug classes:MTOR inhibitors, Selective immunosuppressants
What is Zortress?
Zortress lowers your body's immune system. The immune system helps your body fight infections. The immune system can also fight or "reject" a transplanted organ such as a liver or kidney. This is because the immune system treats the new organ as an invader.
The Zortress brand of everolimus is used to prevent organ rejection after a kidney or liver transplant. Zortress is used together with cyclosporine, steroids, and other medications.
Afinitor is another brand of everolimus used to treat certain types of cancer. This medication guide provides information only about about Zortress.
Warnings
Zortress may increase your risk of infection or certain cancer by changing the way your immune system works.
Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with everolimus. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as fever or chills.
Zortress can cause a blood clot in the vessels of your transplanted organ. Tell your doctor right away if you have: fever with nausea or vomiting, blood in your urine, dark colored urine, little or no urination, or pain in your stomach, groin, lower back, or side.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Zortress if you are allergic to everolimus or sirolimus.
Using Zortress can increase your risk of serious infections or getting certain cancers, such as lymphoma or skin cancer. Ask your doctor about your specific risk.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
problems digesting lactose or galactose (sugar);
high cholesterol or triglycerides;
a heart transplant; or
skin cancer in you or a family member.
Zortress may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control while you are using this medicine and for at least 8 weeks after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in both men and women. However, it is impor...
