Apply for Afinitor or Zortress (Everolimus) Copay Assistance Now

Afinitor  is the brand name for Everolimus, a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs called mTOR inhibitors. Everolimus works by blocking certain proteins that help cancer cells grow and spread. Afinitor is also used to prevent organ transplant rejection and treat certain seizure disorders in both adults and children.

Everolimus is available under three main FDA-approved brand names:

Primary Brand Names

• Afinitor – Standard oral tablets for cancer treatment
• Afinitor Disperz – Dispersible tablets that dissolve in water or on the tongue
• Zortress – Formulated specifically for transplant patients

Each brand name serves different medical purposes and patient populations, making it important to understand which formulation your doctor has prescribed.

Afinitor vs Afinitor Disperz vs Zortress: Key Differences

The main differences between these everolimus formulations lie in how they’re administered and their intended medical uses:

Afinitor (Standard Tablets)

Afinitor comes as standard tablets that must be swallowed whole with water. These tablets should never be cut, crushed, or chewed as this can affect how the medication is absorbed and may cause stronger side effects.

Afinitor Disperz (Dispersible Tablets)

Afinitor Disperz is designed for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills. These dispersible tablets can be dissolved in water or placed on the tongue to dissolve. This formulation is particularly useful for pediatric patients or adults with swallowing difficulties.

Special handling requirements for Disperz:

• Wear gloves when handling tablets
• Pregnant women should not mix the medication
• Use immediately after mixing, discard any unused portion after 1 hour

Zortress (Transplant Formulation)

Zortress is specifically formulated for organ transplant patients and is used at much lower doses than cancer treatments. It helps prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs by suppressing the immune system.

Cancer Treatment Uses

Everolimus treats various conditions depending on the dosage and formulation. At higher doses (typically 10 mg daily), Afinitor is used to treat several types of cancer including:

• Advanced breast cancer
• Renal cell carcinoma
• Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
• Renal angiomyolipoma
• Neuroendocrine carcinoma

Non-Cancer Medical Uses

In lower dosages, everolimus treats completely different conditions such as:

• Organ transplant rejection prevention (kidney and liver transplants)
• Brain tumors and intracranial tumors
• Seizure disorders and epilepsy
• Tuberous sclerosis complex (genetic disorder)

The lower doses used for these non-cancer conditions range from 0.75 mg to 5 mg/m² depending on the specific condition and individual patient factors.

Medical History Requirements

Before starting everolimus treatment, inform your healthcare provider about:

Current Health Conditions

• Any active infections or recent illness
• Liver or kidney disease
• Diabetes or blood sugar problems
• History of hepatitis B infection
• Planned surgeries or recent wounds
• Lactose intolerance (some formulations contain lactose)

Pregnancy and Fertility Considerations

• Pregnancy status: Pregnancy testing required before starting treatment
• Family planning: Discuss fertility impacts and contraception requirements
• Breastfeeding: Must discontinue breastfeeding during treatment

Current Medications That Interact with Everolimus

Medications That Must Not Be Taken with Everolimus

• Certain HIV medications
• Some infection treatment drugs
• Specific depression medications
• Live vaccines (must be avoided)

Medications Requiring Dose Adjustments

• Cyclosporine: Requires lower doses when combined with everolimus
• Tacrolimus: Timing coordination required
• Grapefruit products: Must be completely avoided

Your doctor or pharmacist can determine if any of your current medications interact with everolimus.

Common Side Effects

Everolimus side effects can vary depending on the dose and condition being treated. The medication decreases your body’s ability to fight infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Frequent Side Effects Include:

• Mouth sores and irritation (very common)
• Excessive tiredness and fatigue
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Joint pain and muscle spasms
• Skin rash and acne
• Hair loss and nail changes
• Headache and trouble sleeping

Signs of Serious Complications

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• Infection signs: Fever, chills, severe sore throat, unusual fatigue
• Bleeding signs: Blood in urine or stool, unusual bruising, heavy bleeding
• Liver problems: Yellowing skin/eyes, dark urine, severe stomach pain
• Kidney problems: Changes in urination, blood in urine, swelling
• Lung problems: Shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pain
• High blood sugar: Increased thirst, frequent urination, confusion

Life-Threatening Complications

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)

A serious brain infection that can cause:

• Memory problems and confusion
• Weakness on one side of the body
• Vision changes
• Difficulty speaking or walking

Organ Transplant Complications

• Blood clots in transplanted organs
• BK virus kidney infections
• Organ rejection episodes

Increased Cancer Risk

Long-term everolimus use may increase risk of:

• Skin cancer: Regular skin examinations required
• Lymphoma: Monitor for swollen glands, unexplained weight loss
• Other malignancies: Report any unusual symptoms

Infection Prevention Strategies

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water
• Avoid contact with people who have infections
• Stay up to date with non-live vaccines as recommended
• Report any signs of infection immediately

Administration Instructions

Take your everolimus tablet(s) by mouth with water as directed by your doctor. The method of administration depends on which formulation you’ve been prescribed:

For Afinitor Standard Tablets:

• Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water
• Do not cut, crush, or chew tablets
• Take at the same time each day
• Can be taken with or without food (be consistent)

For Afinitor Disperz Dispersible Tablets:

• Wear gloves when handling tablets
• Dissolve completely in water before drinking, OR
• Let tablet dissolve completely on your tongue
• Use immediately after preparation
• Discard any unused mixture after 1 hour

For Zortress (Transplant Patients):

• Take at the same time as cyclosporine or tacrolimus
• Follow transplant team’s specific timing instructions
• Maintain consistent food intake patterns

Foods to Avoid Completely

• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice: Can significantly increase everolimus levels
• Pomelo and Seville oranges: Similar interaction risks

General Dietary Guidelines

• Maintain consistent meal timing if taking with food
• Stay well-hydrated throughout treatment
• Discuss any significant dietary changes with your healthcare team

Dosage by Medical Condition

The dosage of everolimus varies significantly depending on the condition being treated:

Cancer Treatment Dosages:

For cancer treatments including breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, renal angiomyolipoma, and neuroendocrine carcinoma, the standard dose is 10 mg taken orally once per day.

Neurological Condition Dosages:

• Brain tumors: 4.5 mg/m² once daily (calculated based on body surface area)
• Seizure disorders: 5 mg/m² once daily (calculated based on body surface area)

Transplant Prevention Dosages:

For organ transplant rejection prevention, much lower doses are used:

• Kidney transplants: 0.75 mg twice daily
• Liver transplants: 1 mg twice daily

Your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate dose based on:

• Your specific medical condition
• Body weight and surface area
• Kidney and liver function
• Response to treatment and side effects
• Concurrent medications

Missed Dose Guidelines

For Zortress (Transplant Patients):

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember
• If close to next dose time, skip missed dose
• Never take two doses at the same time

For All Other Everolimus Products:

• Within 6 hours: Take the missed dose immediately
• More than 6 hours: Skip the missed dose and continue regular schedule
• Never double dose: Do not take two doses at the same time

Maintaining consistent blood levels of everolimus is important for treatment effectiveness, so try to take your medication at the same time each day.

Storage Requirements

• Store at room temperature (68-77°F/20-25°C)
• Protect from light and moisture
• Keep in original container with desiccant packets
• Do not store in bathrooms or humid areas
• Keep away from children and pets

Special Storage Notes for Different Formulations

• Blister packs: Do not remove desiccant packets (do not eat)
• Disperz tablets: Handle with gloves, prepare immediately before use
• All formulations: Check expiration dates regularly

We believe that high deductibles and copays shouldn’t prevent anyone from receiving the medications they need. Everolimus can be expensive, with monthly costs often reaching thousands of dollars without insurance coverage.

QuickRx Copay Assistance Program

At QuickRx, we offer help finding ou/afinitor-copay-assistancet if you qualify for an Afinitor copay assistance program. These programs are designed to help you reduce your monthly out-of-pocket costs, sometimes down to $0 for eligible patients.

Simple Steps to Access Savings:

1. Contact our team by filling out the form above
2. Receive a call from our dedicated team within one business day
3. Complete simple paperwork to determine eligibility
4. Access savings automatically applied at your pharmacy

Our specialists handle the complex enrollment process and ongoing maintenance to ensure you never experience a lapse in copay assistance benefits.

Many insurance plans cover everolimus for approved indications, though prior authorization may be required. Working with your healthcare provider and insurance company can help navigate coverage requirements and appeals processes.

Everolimus requires careful monitoring and consistent access to medication. At QuickRx, we ensure that cost concerns don’t interrupt your treatment plan. Our specialists handle the paperwork, navigate insurance requirements, and advocate for the best possible pricing, allowing you to focus on your health and recovery.

Don’t let medication costs compromise your everolimus treatment. Contact QuickRx today to learn how our trusted advisors can help you access the Afinitor copay assistance you need for effective, affordable treatment.