Prescribing-label excerpts
Everolimus
Reference for: Everolimus. Source presentation: tablet. Source route: oral.
Mechanism of action
Everolimus is an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a serine-threonine kinase, downstream of the PI3K/AKT pathway. The mTOR pathway is dysregulated in several human cancers and in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Everolimus binds to an intracellular protein, FKBP-12, resulting in an inhibitory complex formation with mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and thus inhibition of mTOR kinase activity. Everolimus reduced the activity of S6 ribosomal protein kinase (S6K1) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein (4E-BP1), downstream effectors of mTOR, involved in protein synthesis. S6K1 is a substrate of mTORC1 and phosphorylates the activation domain 1 of the estrogen receptor which results in ligand-independent activation of the receptor. In addition, everolimus inhibited the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (e.g., HIF-1) and reduced the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Inhibition of mTOR by everolimus has been shown to reduce cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and glucose uptake in
Two regulators of mTORC1 signaling are the oncogene suppressors tuberin-sclerosis complexes 1 and 2 (TSC1, TSC2). Loss or inactivation of either TSC1 or TSC2 leads to activation of downstream signaling. In TSC, a genetic disorder, inactivating mutations in either the TSC1 or the TSC2 gene lead to hamartoma formation throughout the body as well as seizures and epileptogenesis. Overactivation of mTOR results in neuronal dysplasia, aberrant axonogenesis and dendrite formation, increased excitatory synaptic currents, reduced myelination, and disruption of the cortical laminar structure causing abnormalities in neuronal development and function.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption — After administration of Everolimus tablets in patients with advanced solid tumors, peak everolimus concentrations are reached 1 to 2 hours after administration of oral doses ranging from 5 mg to 70 mg. Following single doses, Cmax is dose-proportional with daily dosing between 5 mg and 10 mg. With single doses of 20 mg and higher, the increase in Cmax is less than dose-proportional; however, AUC shows dose-proportionality over the 5 mg to 70 mg dose range. Steady-state was achieved within 2 weeks following once-daily dosing.
Effect of Food: In healthy subjects, a high-fat meal (containing approximately 1000 calories and 55 grams of fat) reduced systemic exposure to Everolimus 10 mg (as measured by AUC) by 22% and the peak blood concentration Cmax by 54%. Light-fat meals (containing approximately 500 calories and 20 grams of fat) reduced AUC by 32% and Cmax by 42%.
Distribution — The blood-to-plasma ratio of everolimus, which is concentration-dependent over the range of 5 to 5000 ng/mL, is 17% to 73%. The amount of everolimus confined to plasma is approximately 20% at blood concentrations observed in cancer patients given Everolimus 10 mg orally once daily. Plasma protein binding is approximately 74% both in healthy subjects and in patients with moderate hepatic impairment.
Elimination — The mean elimination half-life of everolimus is approximately 30 hours.
Metabolism:Everolimus is a substrate of CYP3A4. Following oral administration, everolimus is the main circulating component in human blood. Six main metabolites of everolimus have been detected in human blood, including three monohydroxylated metabolites, two hydrolytic ring-opened products, and a phosphatidylcholine conjugate of everolimus. These metabolites were also identified in animal species used in toxicity studies, and showed approximately 100-times less activity than everolimus itself.
Excretion: No specific elimination studies have been undertaken in cancer patients. Following the administration of a 3 mg single dose of radiolabeled everolimus in patients who were receiving cyclosporine, 80% of the radioactivity was recovered from the feces, while 5% was excreted in the urine. The parent substance was not detected in urine or feces.
Specific Populations — No relationship was apparent between oral clearance and age or sex in patients with cancer.
Patients with Renal Impairment: No significant influence of creatinine clearance (25 to 178 mL/min) was detected on oral clearance (CL/F) of everolimus.
Patients with Hepatic Impairment: Compared to normal subjects, there was a 1.8-fold, 3.2-fold, and 3.6-fold increase in AUC for subjects with mild (Child-Pugh class A), moderate (Child-Pugh class B), and severe (Child-Pugh class C) hepatic impairment, respectively. In another study, the average AUC of everolimus in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class B) was twice that found in subjects with normal hepatic function [see Dosage and Administration (2.10), Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].
Race or Ethnicity: Based on a cross-study comparison, Japanese patients had on average exposures that were higher than non-Japanese patients receiving the same dose. Oral clearance (CL/F) is on average 20% higher in black patients than in white patients.
Drug Interaction Studies — Strong or Moderate CYP3A inhibitor and P-gp Inhibitor: Everolimus exposure increased when Everolimus tablets were coadministered with:
Cannabidiol Oral Solution: Everolimus Cmax and AUC increased 2.5-fold when coadministered with cannabidiol oral solution (12.5 mg/kg twice daily).
Strong CYP3A Inducer and P-gp Inducer: Everolimus AUC decreased to 37% and Cmax decreased to 42% when Everolimus was coadministered with rifampin (strong CYP3A inducer and P-gp inducer).
CYP3A Substrates: No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions were observed between Everolimus and the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors atorvastatin (a CYP3A4 substrate), pravastatin (a non-CYP3A4 substrate), and simvastatin (a CYP3A4 substrate).
Midazolam (sensitive CYP3A substrate) Cmax increased 1.2-fold and AUC increased 1.3-fold when oral midazolam was coadministered with Everolimus.
Octreotide Cmin increased 1.5-fold when long-acting octreotide was coadministered with Everolimus.
Selected passages from the cited U.S. prescribing label. The studies concern the source product and populations named in each passage; they do not establish Walter-product bioequivalence, an approved indication, or the kinetics of another fixed combination. Tables and the full prescribing information remain available in the source.
Source: DailyMed: Everolimus — tablet
Reference accessed . Label revision: 2026-08-14.
