Certican 0.25 mg Tablet Tablet (Everolimus) — Uses, Dosage & NAFDAC

Who is this for?

What is this drug?

Everolimus is a medicine that works by weakening the body's immune system to prevent it from attacking a transplanted organ, or by slowing down the growth of cancer cells. It is sold in Nigeria under the brand name Certican.

What is it used for?

Prevention of organ rejection after kidney or heart transplantcertain types of kidney cancercertain breast cancersbrain tumours (subependymal giant cell astrocytoma)pancreatic tumours

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Kidney & Urinary Cancer Treatment Rheumatoid Arthritis

How it works

Inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) by binding to FKBP12, suppressing T-lymphocyte proliferation and activation to prevent organ rejection, while also inhibiting tumour cell growth and angiogenesis in malignancies.

Prescription Required

You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.

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How to take this drug

Take the tablet at the same time every day, either always with food or always without food — be consistent. Do not crush or chew the tablet; swallow it whole with a glass of water. Your doctor will decide your exact dose based on your condition and blood test results, but a common starting dose for transplant patients is 0.75 mg twice daily. Never adjust the dose on your own — your doctor will monitor your blood levels regularly.

What if I Miss a Dose?

If you miss a dose and it is still within 6 hours of the time you were supposed to take it, take it as soon as you remember. If more than 6 hours have passed, skip that dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.

What to watch out for

This is a very specialised prescription drug — only take it under the supervision of a transplant or cancer specialist, never buy it from unregistered pharmacies or roadside sellers. Because it lowers your immune system, avoid crowded places and people who are sick, and report any signs of infection to your doctor immediately. Do not share this medicine with anyone else, even if they have a similar condition.

Common Side Effects

Mouth sores or ulcers
feeling tired or weak
diarrhoea
skin rash
increased risk of infections like cough and cold

Serious Side Effects

Difficulty breathing or swelling of the face and throat (this could be a severe allergic reaction — go to the hospital immediately)
signs of serious infection such as high fever with chills that won't go away
unusual bleeding or bruising

Drug Interactions

Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice as they can increase the amount of everolimus in your blood to dangerous levels. Strong antibiotics and antifungals like ketoconazole and rifampicin (commonly used in Nigeria for TB) can seriously affect how this drug works — always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking. Avoid alcohol as it can worsen liver side effects.

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Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Warning

Everolimus is NOT safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding — it can seriously harm an unborn baby, so women must use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 8 weeks after stopping.

Who Should NOT Take This

People who are allergic to everolimus or similar drugs (like sirolimus/temsirolimus)
pregnant or breastfeeding women
people with severe liver problems unless closely monitored by a specialist
and anyone with an active serious infection.

How to Store

Store in a cool, dry place below 30°C — away from direct sunlight and humidity, which can be a problem in Nigerian weather. Keep the tablets in their original blister pack until ready to use. Always keep out of the reach of children.

For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.

Certican 0.25 mg Tablet