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Everolimus: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Everolimus is a kinase inhibitor sold in the U.S. under 3 brand and generic names. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesUpdated Jul 24, 2026How we research

Key facts

Drug class
Kinase Inhibitor
Available as
Tablet
Sold as
3 products — Everolimus, Afinitor and Zortress
Prescription?
Prescription only
Generic available?
Yes
Half-life
about 30 hours (mean terminal elimination half-life)
What the pharmacy pays
about $219 for a 30-count supply — not your price
Boxed warning
Boxed warning

How everolimus is dosed

From the FDA label for Everolimus (application ANDA216140). Other everolimus products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Patients receiving everolimus tablets may require dose adjustments based on everolimus blood concentrations achieved, tolerability, individual response, change in concomitant medications and the clinical situation. Optimally, dose adjustments of everolimus tablets should be based on trough concentrations obtained 4 or 5 days after a previous dosing change. Dose adjustment is required if the trough concentration is below 3 ng/mL. The total daily dose of everolimus tablets should be doubled using the available tablet strengths (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.75 mg, or 1 mg). Dose adjustment is also required if the trough concentration is greater than 8 ng/mL on 2 consecutive measures; the dose of everolimus tablets should be decreased by 0.25 mg twice daily [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . • Kidney Transplantation: starting oral dose of 0.75 mg twice daily as soon as possible after transplantation ( 2.1 ) • Liver Transplantation: starting oral dose of 1 mg twice daily starting 30 days after transplantation ( 2.2 ) • Monitor Everolimus Concentrations: Adjust maintenance dose to achieve trough concentrations within the 3 to 8 ng/mL target range using LC/MS/MS assay method ( 2.1 , 2.2 , 2.3 ) • Administer consistently with or without food at the same time as cyclosporine or tacrolimus ( 2.6 , 12.3 ) • Mild Hepatic Impairment: Reduce initial daily dose by…

Everolimus side effects

Most common adverse reactions were as follows: Kidney Transplantation (incidence greater than or equal to 20%): peripheral edema, constipation, hypertension, nausea, anemia, urinary tract infection (UTI), and hyperlipidemia ( 6.1 ) Liver Transplantation (incidence greater than 10%): diarrhea, headache, peripheral edema, hypertension, nausea, pyrexia, abdominal pain, leukopenia, and hypercholesterolemia ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Biocon Pharma Inc., at 1-866-924-6266 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Serious and Otherwise Important Adverse Reactions The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label. Hypersensitivity Reactions [ see Contraindications (4.1) ] Lymphomas and Other Malignancies [ see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Serious Infections [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Kidney Graft Thrombosis [ see Warnings an d Precautions ( 5.4 ) ] Hepatic Artery Thrombosis [ see Warnings and Precautions (5. 5 ) ] Everolimus and Calcineurin Inhibitor-Induced Nephrotoxicity [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5. 6 ) ] Heart Transplantation [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Angioedema [ see Warnings and Precautions (5. 8 ) ] Wound Healing and Fluid Accumulation [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5. 9 ) ] Interstitial Lung Disease/Non-Infectious Pneumonitis [ see Warnings…

Who shouldn’t take everolimus

Hypersensitivity to everolimus, sirolimus, or to components of the drug product ( 4 ) 4.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Everolimus tablets are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to everolimus, sirolimus, or to components of the drug product.

Everolimus drug interactions

Strong-moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., cyclosporine, ketoconazole, erythromycin, verapamil) and CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin) may affect everolimus concentrations ( 7.1 ). Consider everolimus tablets dose adjustment ( 5.14 ) Therapeutic drug monitoring and dose reduction for everolimus tablets should be considered when everolimus tablets are coadministered with cannabidiol (5.22, 7.13) 7.1 Interactions With Strong Inhibitors or Inducers of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein Everolimus is mainly metabolized by CYP3A4 in the liver and to some extent in the intestinal wall and is a substrate for the multidrug efflux pump, P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Therefore, absorption and subsequent elimination of systemically absorbed everolimus may be influenced by medicinal products that affect CYP3A4 and/or P-gp. Concurrent treatment with strong inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin, telithromycin, ritonavir, boceprevir, telaprevir) and inducers (e.g., rifampin, rifabutin) of CYP3A4 is not recommended. Inhibitors of P-gp (e.g., digoxin, cyclosporine) may decrease the efflux of everolimus from intestinal cells and increase everolimus blood concentrations. In vitro , everolimus was a competitive inhibitor of CYP3A4 and of CYP2D6, potentially increasing the concentrations of medicinal products eliminated by these enzymes. Thus, caution should be exercised when coadministering everolimus with CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index [ s ee Dosage and Administration ( 2. 3 ) ] . All in vivo interaction studies were conducted without concomitant cyclosporine. Pharmacokinetic interactions between everolimus and concomitantly administered drugs are discussed below. Drug interaction studies have not been conducted with drugs other than those described below. 7.2 Cyclosporine (CYP3A4/P-gp Inhibitor and CYP3A4 Substrate) The steady-state C max and area under the curve (AUC) estimates of everolimus were significantly increased by coadministration of single dose cyclosporine [ s ee Clinical Pharmaco logy (12. 5 )] . Dose adjustment of everolimus might be needed if the cyclosporine dose is altered [ s ee Dosage and Administration ( 2. 3)] . Everolimus had a clinically minor influence on cyclosporine pharmacokinetics in transplant patients receiving cyclosporine (Neoral). 7.3 Ketoconazole and Other Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Multiple-dose ketoconazole administration to healthy volunteers significantly increased single dose estimates of everolimus C max , AUC, and half-life. It is recommended that strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin, telithromycin, ritonavir, boceprevir, telaprevir) should not be coadministered with everolimus [ s ee Warnings and Precautions ( 5. 1 4 ), Clinical Pharmaco logy (12. 5 )] . 7.4 Erythromycin (Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitor) Multiple-dose erythromycin administration to healthy volunteers significantly increased single dose estimates of everolimus C max , AUC, and half-life. If erythromycin is coadministered, everolimus blood concentrations should be monitored and a dose adjustment made as necessary [ s ee Clinical Pharmaco logy (12. 5 )] . 7.5 Verapamil (CYP3A4 and P-gp Substrate) Multiple-dose verapamil administration to healthy volunteers significantly increased single dose estimates of everolimus C max and AUC. Everolimus half-life was not changed. If verapamil is coadministered, everolimus blood concentrations should be monitored and a dose adjustment made as necessary [ s ee Clinical Pharmaco logy (12. 5 ) ] . 7.6 Atorvastatin (CYP3A4 Substrate) and Pravastatin (P-gp Substrate) Single-dose administration of everolimus with either atorvastatin or pravastatin to healthy subjects did not influence the pharmacokinetics of atorvastatin, pravastatin and everolimus, as well as total HMG-CoA reductase bioreactivity in plasma to a clinically relevant extent. However, these results cannot be extrapolated to other HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Patients should be monitored for the development of rhabdomyolysis and other adverse reactions as described in the respective labeling for these products. 7.7 Simvastatin and Lovastatin Due to an interaction with cyclosporine, clinical studies of everolimus with cyclosporine conducted in kidney transplant patients strongly discouraged patients with receiving HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors such as simvastatin and lovastatin [ s ee Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 1 )] . 7.8 Rifampin (Strong CYP3A4/P-gp Inducers) Pretreatment of healthy subjects with multiple-dose rifampin followed by a single dose of everolimus increased everolimus clearance and decreased the everolimus C max and AUC estimates. Combination with rifampin is not recommended [ s ee Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 4 ) , Clinical Pharmacology (12. 5 )] . 7.9 Midazolam (CYP3A4/5 Substrate) Single-dose administration of midazolam to healthy volunteers following administration of multiple-dose everolimus indicated that everolimus is a weak inhibitor of CYP3A4/5. Dose adjustment of midazolam or other CYP3A4/5 substrates is not necessary when everolimus is coadministered with midazolam or other CYP3A4/5 substrates [ s ee Clinical Pharmacology (12. 5 )] . 7.10 Other Possible Interactions Moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4 and P-gp may increase everolimus blood concentrations (e.g., fluconazole; macrolide antibiotics; nicardipine, diltiazem; nelfinavir, indinavir, amprenavir). Inducers of CYP3A4 may increase the metabolism of everolimus and decrease everolimus blood concentrations (e.g., St. John’s Wort [ Hypericum perforatum ]; anticonvulsants: carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin; efavirenz, nevirapine). 7.11 Octreotide Coadministration of everolimus and depot octreotide increased octreotide C min by approximately 50%. 7.12 Tacrolimus There is little to no pharmacokinetic interaction of tacrolimus on everolimus, and consequently, dose adjustment of everolimus is not necessary when everolimus is coadministered with tacrolimus. 7.13 Cannabidiol The blood levels of everolimus may increase upon concomitant use with cannabidiol. When cannabidiol and everolimus are coadministered, closely monitor for an increase in everolimus blood levels and for adverse reactions suggestive of everolimus toxicity. A dose reduction of everolimus should be considered as needed when everolimus is coadministered with cannabidiol [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Warnings and Precautions (5.22)]. 7.13 Cannabidiol The blood levels of everolimus may increase upon concomitant use with cannabidiol. When cannabidiol and everolimus are coadministered, closely monitor for an increase in everolimus blood levels and for adverse reactions suggestive of everolimus toxicity. A dose reduction of everolimus should be considered as needed when everolimus is coadministered with cannabidiol [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Warnings and Precautions (5.22)].

Every everolimus product we track (3)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Everolimus products
#DrugRatingPharmacy pays
172/100$219View →
270/100$219View →
370/100$219View →

What everolimus pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Everolimus pill imprints
ImprintStrengthColourShape
EVR;2;52.5 mgwhiteoval
EVR;55 mgwhiteoval
EVR;7;57.5 mgwhiteoval
EVR;NAT10 mgwhiteoval
5;NVR5 mgwhiteoval
UHE;NVR10 mgwhiteoval
LCL;NVR2.5 mgwhiteoval
7P5;NVR7.5 mgwhiteoval
D2;NVR2 mgwhiteround
D3;NVR3 mgwhiteround
D5;NVR5 mgwhiteround
B;55 mgwhitecapsule

Everolimus recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Can you crush or split everolimus?

At least one everolimusproduct is labelled to be swallowed whole — crushing an extended-release tablet releases the whole day’s dose at once. Which applies depends on the form you were given.

What each everolimus label says about crushing, splitting and chewing

How long everolimus keeps

No everolimus label we read sets a separate limit for after opening, but they do specify how it must be stored — and the stability behind any date assumes those conditions.

Everolimus and breastfeeding

From LactMed, the US National Library of Medicine’s Drugs and Lactation Database — quoted, not rewritten.

In two women, everolimus was either undetectable or detectable in very small amounts in the colostrum. However, no information is available on the use of everolimus during breastfeeding. An alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Full LactMed record for everolimus: levels in milk, effects in breastfed infants, and the drugs it would consider instead

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, record revised June 15, 2026. LactMed states its information is not a substitute for professional judgement.

What people report to the FDA about everolimus

The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 17,188 reports naming everolimus, and the FDA flagged 89% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:

  • malignant neoplasm progression1,553 reports
  • diarrhoea1,234 reports
  • fatigue873 reports
  • nausea797 reports
  • dyspnoea680 reports
  • pyrexia644 reports
  • vomiting638 reports
  • pneumonia617 reports

Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean everolimus caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label.

Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved September 25, 2026.

How long everolimus stays in your system

The elimination half-life of everolimus is about 30 hours (mean terminal elimination half-life). Not a prodrug; everolimus is the main circulating component in blood. Its six detected metabolites showed roughly 100-times less activity than everolimus itself, so there is no active metabolite that outlasts the parent. The label reports no clinically meaningful change with age or sex, and renal impairment (creatinine clearance 25-178 mL/min) did not significantly affect clearance. Hepatic impairment increases exposure substantially, though: AUC rose about 1.8-, 3.2-, and 3.6-fold in mild, moderate, and severe (Child-Pugh A/B/C) impairment, so the label calls for dose reduction in hepatic impairment.

Everolimus tablets - DailyMed label, Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ↗

Half-life is how long the body takes to clear half a dose. It is not the same as how long a drug test can detect it, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.

Related calculators

Frequently asked questions

What is everolimus?

Everolimus is a kinase inhibitor.

What kind of drug is everolimus?

The FDA classifies everolimus as a kinase inhibitor. Kinase inhibitors block protein kinases, the enzymes that relay 'grow and divide' signals inside cells. By shutting down the overactive kinase signals that a tumor depends on, they help slow or stop cancer cells from multiplying. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

How long does everolimus stay in your system?

The elimination half-life of everolimus is about 30 hours (mean terminal elimination half-life) — that is how long the body takes to clear half of a dose. Not a prodrug; everolimus is the main circulating component in blood. Its six detected metabolites showed roughly 100-times less activity than everolimus itself, so there is no active metabolite that outlasts the parent. The label reports no clinically meaningful change with age or sex, and renal impairment (creatinine clearance 25-178 mL/min) did not significantly affect clearance. Hepatic impairment increases exposure substantially, though: AUC rose about 1.8-, 3.2-, and 3.6-fold in mild, moderate, and severe (Child-Pugh A/B/C) impairment, so the label calls for dose reduction in hepatic impairment. Half-life is not the same as how long a drug test can detect the drug, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.

Can you take everolimus with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run everolimus against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is everolimus sold under?

We track 3 everolimus-containing products in the U.S.: Everolimus, Afinitor and Zortress. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does everolimus come in?

Across the brands we track, everolimus is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic everolimus?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic everolimus product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has everolimus been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions everolimus. The most recent: Everolimus tablets 5mg (Oct 10, 2025). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Cite this page
APA
pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Everolimus: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/everolimus
MLA
“Everolimus: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/everolimus.

We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.

Read the full FDA label for everolimus on DailyMed (NIH) ↗ — including its boxed warning in full.