Certican
Certican prevents your body's immune system from rejecting a transplanted kidney, heart, or liver.
Form
tabletti
Strength
0.75 mg
Active Ingredient
Everolimus
Manufacturer
Novartis Finland Oy
How to Use
Dosage
For kidney and heart transplants, the usual starting dose is 1.5 mg per day. For liver transplants, it's 2.0 mg per day.
Method
Take the tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not crush them. The dose is usually split into two times: once in the morning and once in the evening.
Important
The maximum daily dose is 1.5 mg for kidney and heart transplants, and 2.0 mg for liver transplants.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Infections (viral, bacterial, and fungal)
- •Lower respiratory tract infections, including lung infections like pneumonia
- •Upper respiratory tract infections, like sore throat and common cold
- •Urinary tract infections
- •Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- •Low white blood cell count (increases infection risk)
- •Low platelet count (can cause bleeding and bruising under the skin)
- •High blood fat levels (lipids, cholesterol, and triglycerides)
- •New onset of diabetes (high blood sugar)
- •Low blood potassium levels
- •Anxiety
- •Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- •Headache
- •Fluid buildup around the heart, which can reduce the heart's pumping ability if severe
- •High blood pressure
- •Blood clots in veins (venous thrombosis)
- •Fluid buildup in the lungs/chest, which can cause shortness of breath if severe
- •Cough
- •Shortness of breath
- •Diarrhea
- •Nausea
- •Vomiting
- •Stomach pain
- •General pain
- •Fever
- •Fluid retention in tissues (edema)
- •Abnormal wound healing
RARE
- •Blood poisoning (sepsis)
- •Wound infection
- •Cancer and benign tumors
- •Skin cancer
- •Kidney damage with low red blood cells and platelets, sometimes with rash (thrombotic microangiopathy / hemolytic uremic syndrome)
- •Breakdown of red blood cells
- •Low red blood cell and platelet counts
- •Fast heart rate
- •Nosebleeds
- •Low overall blood cell counts (can cause weakness, bruising, frequent infections)
- •Blood clots in kidney blood vessels, which can lead to transplant loss, usually within 30 days of transplant surgery
- •Bleeding disorders
- •Cysts containing lymph fluid
- •Mouth or throat pain
- •Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- •Mouth sores
- •Acne
- •Hives (urticaria) and other allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face or throat (angioedema)
- •Rash
- •Joint pain
- •Muscle pain
- •Protein in urine
- •Kidney disorders
- •Impotence
- •Hernia at the surgical site
- •Abnormal liver function test results
- •Menstrual disorders (including missed periods or heavy bleeding)
- •Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph tissue) or other lymph disorders after transplant
- •Low testosterone levels
- •Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonitis)
- •Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
- •Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- •Ovarian cysts
- •Abnormal protein buildup in the lungs (dry cough, tiredness, breathing difficulties)
- •Inflammation of blood vessels
- •Swelling, feeling of heaviness or tightness, pain, limited movement in body parts due to fluid buildup (lymphedema)
- •Severe skin rash with swelling
- •Low blood iron levels
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to everolimus or sirolimus, or any other ingredients.
- Certican lowers your body's ability to fight infections. Contact your doctor if you have fever, feel unwell, cough, or have pain when urinating.
- Seek immediate medical help if you experience confusion, trouble speaking, memory loss, headache, vision changes, or seizures, as these could be signs of a serious condition called PML.
- Certican can increase the risk of problems with wound healing after surgery or if you have unhealed wounds.
- Certican can increase your risk of cancer, especially skin and lymph node cancer. Limit sun exposure and use sun protection.
Show 4 more warnings
- Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, as your dose of Certican might need to be adjusted.
- Report any breathing problems like coughing or wheezing to your doctor. Your doctor will decide if you should continue Certican or need other medicine.
- Certican can affect male fertility, making it harder to father children. This effect usually goes away after treatment stops. Discuss this with your doctor if you plan to have children.
- Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit while taking Certican, as they can affect how the medicine works.