Non-Infectious Pneumonitis: Monitor for clinical symptoms or radiological changes. Withhold or permanently discontinue based on severity. Infections: Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection. Withhold or permanently discontinue based on severity. Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions: Permanently discontinue for clinically significant hypersensitivity. Angioedema: Patients taking concomitant angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may be at increased risk for angioedema. Permanently discontinue for angioedema. Stomatitis: Initiate dexamethasone alcohol-free mouthwash when starting treatment. Renal Failure: Monitor renal function prior to treatment and periodically thereafter. Risk of Impaired Wound Healing: Withhold for at least 1 week prior to elective surgery. Do not administer for at least 2 weeks following major surgery and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of treatment after resolution of wound healing complications has not been established. Geriatric Patients: Monitor and adjust dose for adverse reactions. Metabolic Disorders: Monitor serum glucose and lipids prior to treatment and periodically thereafter. Withhold or permanently discontinue based on severity. Myelosuppression: Monitor hematologic parameters prior to treatment and periodically thereafter. Withhold or permanently discontinue based on severity. ( 2.9 , 5.10 ) Risk of Infection or Reduced Immune Response with Vaccination: Avoid live vaccines and close contact with those who have received live vaccines. Complete recommended childhood vaccinations prior to starting treatment. Radiation Sensitization and Radiation Recall: Severe radiation reactions may occur. ( 5.12 , 6.2 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise patients of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. ( 5.13 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) 5.1 Non-infectious Pneumonitis Non-infectious pneumonitis is a class effect of rapamycin derivatives. Non-infectious pneumonitis was reported in up to 19% of patients treated with AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ in clinical trials, some cases were reported with pulmonary hypertension (including pulmonary arterial hypertension) as a secondary event. The incidence of Grade 3 and 4 non-infectious pneumonitis was up to 4% and up to 0.2%, respectively . Fatal outcomes have been observed. Consider a diagnosis of non-infectious pneumonitis in patients presenting with non-specific respiratory signs and symptoms. Consider opportunistic infections, such as pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP) in the differential diagnosis. Advise patients to report promptly any new or worsening respiratory symptoms. Continue AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ without dose alteration in patients who develop radiological changes suggestive of non-infectious pneumonitis and have few or no symptoms. Imaging appears to overestimate the incidence of clinical pneumonitis. For Grade 2 to 4 non-infectious pneumonitis, withhold or permanently discontinue AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ based on severity . Corticosteroids may be indicated until clinical symptoms resolve. Administer prophylaxis for PJP when concomitant use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents are required. The development of pneumonitis has been reported even at a reduced dose
Infections AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ has immunosuppressive properties and may predispose patients to bacterial, fungal, viral, or protozoal infections, including infections with opportunistic pathogens . Localized and systemic infections, including pneumonia, mycobacterial infections, other bacterial infections, invasive fungal infections (e.g., aspergillosis, candidiasis, or PJP), and viral infections (e.g., reactivation of hepatitis B virus) have occurred. Some of these infections have been severe (e.g., sepsis, septic shock, or resulting in multisystem organ failure) or fatal. The incidence of Grade 3 and 4 infections was up to 10% and up to 3%, respectively. The incidence of serious infections was reported at a higher frequency in patients < 6 years of age . Complete treatment of preexisting invasive fungal infections prior to starting treatment. Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection. Withhold or permanently discontinue AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ based on severity of infection . Administer prophylaxis for PJP when concomitant use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents are required
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions to AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ have been observed and include anaphylaxis, dyspnea, flushing, chest pain, and angioedema (e.g., swelling of the airways or tongue, with or without respiratory impairment) . The incidence of Grade 3 hypersensitivity reactions was up to 1%. Permanently discontinue AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ for the development of clinically significant hypersensitivity
Angioedema With Concomitant Use of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors Patients taking concomitant ACE inhibitors with AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ may be at increased risk for angioedema (e.g., swelling of the airways or tongue, with or without respiratory impairment). In a pooled analysis of randomized double-blind oncology clinical trials, the incidence of angioedema in patients taking AFINITOR with an ACE inhibitor was 6.8% compared to 1.3% in the control arm with an ACE inhibitor. Permanently discontinue AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ for angioedema
Stomatitis Stomatitis, including mouth ulcers and oral mucositis, has occurred in patients treated with AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ at an incidence ranging from 44% to 78% across clinical trials. Grades 3-4 stomatitis was reported in 4% to 9% of patients . Stomatitis most often occurs within the first 8 weeks of treatment. When starting AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ, initiating dexamethasone alcohol-free oral solution as a swish and spit mouthwash reduces the incidence and severity of stomatitis . If stomatitis does occur, mouthwashes and/or other topical treatments are recommended. Avoid alcohol-, hydrogen peroxide-, iodine-, or thyme- containing products, as they may exacerbate the condition. Do not administer antifungal agents, unless fungal infection has been diagnosed
Renal Failure Cases of renal failure (including acute renal failure), some with a fatal outcome, have occurred in patients taking AFINITOR. Elevations of serum creatinine and proteinuria have been reported in patients taking AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ . The incidence of Grade 3 and 4 elevations of serum creatinine was up to 2% and up to 1%, respectively. The incidence of Grade 3 and 4 proteinuria was up to 1% and up to 0.5%, respectively. Monitor renal function prior to starting AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ and annually thereafter. Monitor renal function at least every 6 months in patients who have additional risk factors for renal failure
Risk of Impaired Wound Healing Impaired wound healing can occur in patients who receive drugs that inhibit the VEGF signaling pathway. Therefore, AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ have the potential to adversely affect wound healing. Withhold AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ for at least 1 week prior to elective surgery. Do not administer for at least 2 weeks following major surgery and until adequate wound healing. The safety of resumption of treatment upon resolution of wound healing complications has not been established
Geriatric Patients In the randomized hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer study (BOLERO-2), the incidence of deaths due to any cause within 28 days of the last AFINITOR dose was 6% in patients ≥ 65 years of age compared to 2% in patients < 65 years of age. Adverse reactions leading to permanent treatment discontinuation occurred in 33% of patients ≥ 65 years of age compared to 17% in patients < 65 years of age. Careful monitoring and appropriate dose adjustments for adverse reactions are recommended
Metabolic Disorders Hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia have been reported in patients taking AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ at an incidence up to 75%, 86%, and 73%, respectively. The incidence of these Grade 3 and 4 laboratory abnormalities was up to 15% and up to 0.4%, respectively . In non-diabetic patients, monitor fasting serum glucose prior to starting AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ and annually thereafter. In diabetic patients, monitor fasting serum glucose more frequently as clinically indicated. Monitor lipid profile prior to starting AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ and annually thereafter. When possible, achieve optimal glucose and lipid control prior to starting AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ. For Grade 3 to 4 metabolic events, withhold or permanently discontinue AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ based on severity
Myelosuppression Anemia, lymphopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia have been reported in patients taking AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ. The incidence of these Grade 3 and 4 laboratory abnormalities was up to 16% and up to 2%, respectively . Monitor complete blood count (CBC) prior to starting AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ every 6 months for the first year of treatment and annually thereafter. Withhold or permanently discontinue AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ based on severity
Risk of Infection or Reduced Immune Response With Vaccination The safety of immunization with live vaccines during AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ therapy has not been studied. Due to the potential increased risk of infection, avoid the use of live vaccines and close contact with individuals who have received live vaccines during treatment with AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ. Due to the potential increased risk of infection or reduced immune response with vaccination, complete the recommended childhood series of vaccinations according to American Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines prior to the start of therapy. An accelerated vaccination schedule may be appropriate
Radiation Sensitization and Radiation Recall Radiation sensitization and recall, in some cases severe, involving cutaneous and visceral organs (including radiation esophagitis and pneumonitis) have been reported in patients treated with radiation prior to, during, or subsequent to AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ treatment . Monitor patients closely when AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ is administered during or sequentially with radiation treatment
Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on animal studies and the mechanism of action, AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal studies, everolimus caused embryo-fetal toxicities in rats when administered during the period of organogenesis at maternal exposures that were lower than human exposures at the clinical dose of 10 mg once daily. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise female patients of reproductive potential to avoid becoming pregnant and to use effective contraception during treatment with AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ and for 8 weeks after the last dose. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with AFINITOR/AFINITOR DISPERZ and for 4 weeks after the last dose .