Zortress vs. Afinitor for Organ Transplant and Breast Cancer: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Everolimus

(Zortress)

Everolimus

(Afinitor)

Summary for Zortress

Prescription only

Everolimus, also known by the brand name Zortress, is an FDA approved immunosuppressant used in adults to prevent rejection after a kidney or liver transplant. The tablet is typically taken by mouth twice a day along with other anti-rejection medications. Your transplant provider will adjust your dose based on the levels of the medication in your body. Common side effects include swelling in the arms and legs, nausea, and high blood pressure.

Indications for Zortress

Prevent kidney transplant rejection
Prevent liver transplant rejection

Pros and Cons for Zortress

Pros

Can be taken with or without food
Available as a tablet that's taken by mouth
Comes in different strengths to allow for dose adjustments

Cons

Raises the risk of infections
Commonly causes swelling in the arms and legs
Must be taken with other anti-rejection medications

Common Side Effects for Zortress

Kidney transplant:

Swelling in the arms and legs (45%)
Constipation (38%)
High blood pressure (30%)
Nausea (29%)
Low red blood count, anemia (26%)
Urinary tract infection (UTI) (22%)
High cholesterol (21%)

Note: These side effects were reported in people taking everolimus (Zortress) and cyclosporine.
Liver transplant:

Diarrhea (19-24%)
Headache (19-22%)
High blood pressure (17-21%)
Swelling in the arms and legs (18-20%)

Note: These side effects were reported in people taking everolimus (Zortress) and tacrolimus.

Warnings for Zortress

Cancer
Serious infections
Kidney or liver blood clot
Kidney damage
Allergic reaction
Slower wound healing and fluid build up
Lung problems
High cholesterol and triglyceride
Diabetes after transplant
Harm to unborn baby and fertility concerns
Vaccines

Summary for Afinitor

Prescription only

Everolimus (Afinitor) is an oral medication used to treat different types of cancer, including certain types of breast cancer and kidney cancers. It's taken by mouth, typically just once daily. But depending on the type of cancer you're being treated for, your provider might ask you to do regular blood draws to figure out a dose that's safe for you. Keep in mind that everolimus (Afinitor) comes in 3 different formulations and they don't all treat the same conditions. Some common side effects everolimus (Afinitor) can cause include mouth sores and skin rashes.

Indications for Afinitor

Breast cancer (hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative)
Neuroendocrine tumors (NET)
Kidney cancer (renal cell cancer or RCC)
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated kidney tumor
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated brain tumor (people age 1 years and older)
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated seizures (people age 2 years and older)

Pros and Cons for Afinitor

Pros

Oral pill, taken once daily
Available as a lower-cost generic
Can be taken with or without food
Can be taken by children (only for TSC-associated brain tumors or seizures)

Cons

Can raise blood sugar levels
Can cause painful sores in the mouth
Might make it difficult for you to have children in the future
Raises the risk of infection
Higher risk of serious side effects in older adults

Common Side Effects for Afinitor

Abnormal blood cell counts (up to 92%)
Higher cholesterol and lipid levels (up to 86%)
Mouth ulcers or inflammation (up to 78%)
Higher blood sugar levels (up to 75%)
Abnormal liver labs (up to 74%)
Rash (up to 59%)
Diarrhea (up to 50%)
Abnormal kidney lab values (up to 50%)
Infections (up to 58%)
Extreme tiredness (up to 45%)
Fluid buildup in the arms or legs (up to 39%)
Stomach pain (36%)
Nausea (up to 32%)
Fever (up to 31%)
Appetite loss (up to 30%)
Headache (up to 30%)
Cough (up to 30%)
Weight loss (up to 28%)

Please note: The frequency of certain side effects depends on what condition you’re being treated for.

Warnings for Afinitor

Lung problem
Low blood cell counts and serious infections
Severe allergic reactions
Mouth sores
Kidney problems
Higher blood sugar and lipids levels (cholesterol and triglycerides)
Inflammation and sensitivity with radiation therapy
Harm to unborn baby and effects on fertility

Prices with our coupons for Zortress vs. Afinitor

Everolimus60 tablets / 0.5mg

$111.94$1,046.00

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Everolimus30 tablets / 10mg

$803.73$14,246.89

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Zortress vs. Afinitor

Everolimus

Everolimus

Summary for Zortress

Indications for Zortress

Pros and Cons for Zortress

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Zortress

Warnings for Zortress

Summary for Afinitor

Indications for Afinitor

Pros and Cons for Afinitor

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Afinitor

Warnings for Afinitor

Prices with our coupons for Zortress vs. Afinitor

Browse medications by letter

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Everolimus

Everolimus

Summary for Zortress

Indications for Zortress

Pros and Cons for Zortress

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Zortress

Warnings for Zortress

Summary for Afinitor

Indications for Afinitor

Pros and Cons for Afinitor

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Afinitor

Warnings for Afinitor