Does everolimus affect the kidneys?

Everolimus does have certain effects on the kidneys. As an mTOR inhibitor, everolimus mainly exerts anti-tumor effects by inhibiting the mTOR signaling pathway. However, this inhibitory effect may also have certain effects on the kidneys.

Effects of everolimus on the kidneys

Renal damage: Everolimus is metabolized by the kidneys, so excessive dosage may increase the burden on the kidneys and affect their detoxification and drainage functions. Long-term or high-dose use of everolimus may cause renal function damage, manifested by symptoms such as decreased urine output and edema. In severe cases, it may even cause acute kidney injury or chronic renal failure.

Proteinuria: Everolimus may also cause proteinuria, which is an abnormally high amount of protein in the urine. Proteinuria is one of the important signs of kidney damage, and its long-term presence may lead to further deterioration of kidney function.

Monitoring and management

To mitigate the potential effects of everolimus on the kidneys, patients need to pay close attention to changes in renal function during treatment. This includes regular renal function tests, such as monitoring serum creatinine, urea nitrogen and other indicators, as well as observing changes in urine properties such as urine output and urine color.

In addition, doctors will also adjust the dosage and frequency of everolimus based on the patient's renal function. For patients who already have renal damage, doctors may consider reducing the dose of the drug or discontinuing it, and take corresponding treatment measures to protect kidney function.

Things to note

Follow the doctor's instructions: Patients should strictly follow the doctor's instructions, take everolimus on time and in the right amount, and avoid adjusting the dosage or stopping the drug on their own.

Regular review: Regular review of renal function is an important means to promptly detect and deal with the impact of everolimus on the kidneys. Patients should follow their doctor's recommendations for reexamination and promptly report any symptoms to their doctor.

Pay attention to personal hygiene: Everolimus may reduce the activity of the immune system and increase the risk of infection. Therefore, patients should pay attention to personal hygiene during treatment and avoid contact with sick people to reduce the risk of infection.

References:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5590422/