how long is a course of affinitor

Afinitor is a long-term treatment. It should be taken every day as long as it is working unless unacceptable side effects occur. In clinical trials, the average duration of treatment was approximately 24.0 weeks (range one week to almost 200 weeks).

Full Answer

How long should I take Afinitor?

Afinitor is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Afinitor is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term. If the side effects become severe or if your condition worsens, your doctor may have you stop taking Afinitor. As with all medications, the cost of Afinitor can vary.

What is Afinitor?

Afinitor is used to treat certain types of cancer. Zortress is used for kidney and liver transplant rejection prophylaxis. The lowest GoodRx price for the most common version of generic Afinitor is around $591.54, 75% off the average retail price of $2,385.05.

How many strengths does Afinitor disperz come in?

The tablets come in four strengths: Afinitor Disperz comes as a tablet that you must prepare as an oral suspension. This means you’ll dissolve it in a liquid, which you then swallow. The tablets come in three strengths: Ibrance comes as a capsule that you swallow. The drug is available in three strengths:

How much does Afinitor cost in 2020?

Last updated on May 8, 2020. Afinitor costs $15,680 to $16,407 for a supply of 28 tablets (one month). The cost works out to be $586 per tablet for the 5mg, 7.5mg, and 10mg strength tablets.

How long do people stay on AFINITOR?

Afinitor is usually taken every day for as long as it is working or until unacceptable side effects occur. It is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. In clinical trials, the average duration of treatment was approximately 24.0 weeks (range one week to almost 200 weeks).

Is AFINITOR considered chemotherapy?

Afinitor is a type of drug called a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor. mTORs are targeted therapies that work by “targeting” and attacking cancer cells. Afinitor is not considered chemotherapy, which acts on all cells in the body that are growing quickly, not just cancer cells.

Can AFINITOR shrink tumors?

Just a handful of drugs have been approved by the U.S. FDA and one, Novartis's Afinitor (everolimus), deters cancer growth but doesn't shrink tumors, and it prolongs patient survival only a few months.

What happens when you stop taking everolimus?

While you are being treated with everolimus, and after you stop treatment with it, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Everolimus may lower your body's resistance and the vaccine may not work as well or you might get the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent.

Is Afinitor a good drug?

Afinitor has an average rating of 4.6 out of 10 from a total of 10 ratings for the treatment of Breast Cancer. 40% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 60% reported a negative experience.

Does Afinitor cause weight loss?

SIDE EFFECTS: Diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, decreased appetite, weight loss, changes in taste, nosebleeds, dry skin, dizziness, and headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Pain or sores in the mouth and throat may occur.

How long does it take for a tumor to shrink?

At the same time, if a cell doesn't divide, it also cannot grow and spread. For tumors that divide slowly, the mass may shrink over a long, extended period after radiation stops. The median time for a prostate cancer to shrink is about 18 months (some quicker, some slower).

Can Afinitor cause death?

AFINITOR can cause serious side effects; some of these side effects can be severe and can even lead to death. If patients experience these side effects, they may need to stop taking AFINITOR for a while or use a lower dose.

Can you drink alcohol while taking everolimus?

Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice for the duration of your treatment, as these may interact with everolimus. The drinking of alcohol (in small amounts) does not appear to affect the safety or usefulness of everolimus.

Is everolimus considered chemotherapy?

Drug Type: Everolimus is an antineoplastic chemotherapy drug. This medication is classified as an "mTOR kinase inhibitor." (For more detail, see "How Everolimus Works" below).

Does Afinitor cause weight gain?

Everolimus can cause fluid retention (edema). Symptoms include swelling in the feet and hands, and rapid weight gain. Report any of these symptoms to your healthcare team immediately.

Does Afinitor cause neuropathy?

Does Afinitor cause neuropathy? No, Afinitor isn't known to cause neuropathy (nerve damage). Certain chemotherapy drugs, such as docetaxel (Taxotere) and vincristine, may cause nerve damage. (Chemotherapy is a type of treatment for cancer.)

How to use Afinitor

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking everolimus and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects

Diarrhea, nausea / vomiting, decreased appetite, weight loss, changes in taste, nosebleeds, dry skin, dizziness, and headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Precautions

Before taking everolimus, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to sirolimus or temsirolimus; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Images

This medicine is a white, oblong, tablet imprinted with "LCL" and "NVR".

How much does Afinitor cost?

Official Answer. Afinitor costs $15,680 to $16,407 for a supply of 28 tablets (one month). The cost works out to be $586 per tablet for the 5mg, 7.5mg, and 10mg strength tablets. The 2.5mg strength is slightly cheaper at $560 per tablet. However, most people will not have to pay this much because insurance plans should cover most of the cost ...

What is the function of Afinitor?

Afinitor binds a specific protein called FKBP-12 and forms a complex which inhibits the activity of mTOR, reducing cell proliferation, the formation of new blood vessels, and glucose uptake. Afinitor reduces the blood supply to cancer which slows down its growth.

How does Afinitor work?

mTOR stands for mammalian target of rapamycin, and it is a type of protein in the body called a kinase that helps both healthy cells and cancerous cells get the energy they need.

What is Afinitor used for?

Afinitor may be used in the treatment of several different cancers, such as: 1 Hormone receptor-positive, HER2- negative breast cancer 2 Neuroendocrine tumors of the stomach, bowel, lung or pancreas 3 Kidney cancer 4 Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)- associated conditions or seizures.

How much does Novartis pay for Afinitor?

Patients may be responsible for up to the first $25 and Novartis pays up to $15,000 per calendar year. Afinitor is usually taken every day for as long as it is working or until unacceptable side effects occur. It is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment.

Does Afinitor inhibit estrogen?

Trials have shown that the growth of estrogen-dependent and HER2+ breast cancer cells is inhibited by the effects of Afinitor. Combination treatment with other agents such as exemestane (Aromasin) for breast cancer enhances its effects.

Does Medicare cover Afinitor?

However, it is not covered by Medicare. Before you and your doctor decide on treatment with Afinitor, check that your insurance company covers it. Copay assistance is also available under the Novartis Oncology Universal Co-pay Program. Eligible individuals with private insurance may pay $0: Phone 1-877-577-7756.

Ways to save on your Afinitor prescription

There may be other prescriptions in the same class (that work in the same way) that could treat your condition just as well at a much lower cost.

Lower Cost Alternative See Alternative Prescriptions

There may be other prescriptions in the same class (that work in the same way) that could treat your condition just as well at a much lower cost.

What are the symptoms of taking Afinitor?

Symptoms of severe infections can include: high fever. shivering. rapid heart rate. confusion. shortness of breath. pain or discomfort. sweating.

What is Afinitor mTOR?

Afinitor is a type of drug called a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor. A possible side effect of this type of drug is noninfectious pneumonitis. This is inflammation (swelling) of the lungs that’s not caused by an infection. In clinical studies, up to 19% of people who took Afinitor had noninfectious pneumonitis.

What can I do to prevent mouth sores from Afinitor?

To help keep your mouth healthy and free from sores, practice good dental hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day. Also, eat a healthy diet and look for any changes in your mouth. If you notice any mouth problems, tell your doctor.

Is Afinitor the same as Zortress?

Afinitor and Zortress are both pre scription medications that contain the drug everolimus. However, they’re used for different purposes and prescribed at different doses.

Is Afinitor used to treat carcinoid tumors?

Yes and no. Afinitor is approved to treat nonfunctional types of carcinoid tumors of the pancreas, lungs, and stomach or gut. Nonfunctional tumors don’t produce hormones. (Another name for carcinoid tumors is neuroendocrine tumors. These are tumors that grow in and around nerve cells and cells that make hormones.)

Can Afinitor be crushed, split, or chewed?

No. You shouldn’t crush, split, or chew Afinitor or Afinitor Disperz tablets.

How much Afinitor is safe for seizures?

For partial seizures in children, the recommended dose of Afinitor Disperz in 5 mg per square meter. If side effects become severe or your child’s condition worsens, your doctor may change the dosage.