Zortress ratings & reviews

Zortress contains the active ingredient everolimus, which is a macrolide immunosuppressant. It is supplied as tablets for oral administration with dosage strengths of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.75 mg, and 1 mg. Key inactive ingredients include butylated hydroxytoluene, crospovidone type A, hypromellose, lactose anhydrous, lactose monohydrate, and magnesium stearate.

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Do not cut, crush, or chew this medication. Swallow the tablets whole. You can take it with or without food. You should always take it the same way. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.

Do not take this medication with grapefruit juice.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, ask your pharmacist or care team how to get rid of this medication safely.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
• Dry cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)—increased thirst or amount of urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, blurry vision
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
• Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, pale skin, unusual weakness or fatigue, decrease in the amount of urine, which may be signs of hemolytic uremic syndrome
• TTP—purple spots on the skin or inside the mouth, pale skin, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue, fever, fast or irregular heartbeat, confusion, change in vision, trouble speaking, trouble walking

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Stomach pain
• Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• History of skin cancer
• Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption
• Liver disease
• An unusual or allergic reaction to everolimus, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Live virus vaccines
• Thioridazine

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Antiviral medications for HIV or hepatitis
• Cannabidiol
• Certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, rifampin, rifabutin, telithromycin
• Certain medications for blood pressure, heart disease, or irregular heartbeat
• Certain medications for cholesterol, such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin
• Certain medications for fungal infections, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole
• Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
• Cyclosporine
• Grapefruit juice
• St. John's wort

This medication may affect how other medications work, and other medications may affect the way this medication works. Talk with your care team about all of the medications you take. They may suggest changes to your treatment plan to lower the risk of side effects and to make sure your medications work as intended.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress.

You may need blood work while taking this medication.

This medication may increase blood sugar. The risk may be higher in patients who already have diabetes. Ask your care team what you can do to lower your risk of diabetes while taking this medication.

Before having surgery, talk to your care team to make sure it is ok. This medication can increase the risk of poor healing of your surgical site or wound. Tell your care team if your incision site is red, warm, or painful. Also, tell your care team if your incision site opens up or swells or if it contains blood, fluid, or pus.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

This medication may increase your risk to bruise or bleed. Call your care team if you notice any unusual bleeding.

Talk to your care team about your risk of cancer. You may be more at risk for certain types of cancer if you take this medication.

This medication can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps, tanning beds, or tanning booths.

This medication can increase bad cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and decrease good cholesterol (HDL) in your blood. You may need blood tests to check your cholesterol. Ask your care team what you can do to lower your risk of high cholesterol while taking this medication.

Some products come in blister cards. Some of the blisters may have desiccants in them. A desiccant helps protect your medication from moisture. Do not eat the desiccant. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions.

Talk to your care team if you or your partner may be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy and for 8 weeks after the last dose. Contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 8 weeks after the last dose. Your care team can help you find the option that works for you.

Do not breastfeed while taking this medication.

This medication may cause infertility. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.

What are the most serious risks of this medication?

If you are taking this medicine after a transplant, this medicine will make your immune system weak. A weak immune system puts you at risk for serious infections and new cancers such as lymphoma and skin cancer. Call your healthcare professtional if you get fevers or chills while taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine after a heart transplant.

If you are taking this medicine after a kidney transplant, this medicine can cause blood clots in the vessels of your transplanted kidney. If this happens, it usually happens within the first 30 days after the transplant.