Rapamune Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Kidney Transplant Aftercare

Following kidney transplantation, the body typically recognizes the new organ as foreign and attacks it.Rejection is most common in the first six months after a transplant, but can occur at any time.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (or LAM) is a rare lung disease which affects women of childbearing age. It is caused by the abnormal growth of the muscle cells that line lung airways. The disease manifests in shortness of breath and may cause lung collapse. LAM has no cure, although it progresses differently in individual patients.

Rapamune Active Ingredient

Generic Rapamune Alternative: Rapamune

Rapamune contains the active ingredient sirolimus, an immunosuppressant drug which weakens immune function to help the body accept and keep a transplanted kidney.

General Drug Information

What is Rapamune and What Is It Used For?

Rapamune is prescribed – with other medications – to patients who have undergone a kidney transplant. It contains the active ingredient sirolimus which helps prevent transplant rejection.

Rapamune is also prescribed to treat lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare lung disease.

Usage and Application

Rapamune should be taken as prescribed by a patient’s doctor, and the dosage depends on the patient’s weight, medical condition, laboratory test results and response to treatment.

Most patients are usually prescribed one daily oral dose. Tablets should be swallowed whole. Patients should not crush, chew or split the tablets. Those who have nausea or upset stomach may take the medication with food. It is important to be consistent and choose one method of taking this drug – with or without food – and to take each dose in the same way.

Patients should take Rapamune regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.

It is important to follow the dosage that has been prescribed. Do not increase the dose or take the drug more regularly than prescribed, as doing so increases the risk of side effects. Do not stop this medication without consulting with the treating physician first.

Patients who are also taking cyclosporine should wait four hours after their cyclosporine dose before taking Rapamune.

Grapefruit may increase Rapamune’s side effects. Patients should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice unless told by their doctor or pharmacist that they may do so safely.

Patients who take Rapamune to treat LAM should monitor symptoms carefully and inform their doctor should their condition worsen.

Considerations Before Taking Rapamune

Patients need to discuss the possibility of allergic reactions to Rapamune and its generic alternatives before starting treatment.

It is vital to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially liver disease, high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, cancer and any recent or current infections.

Rapamune may worsen existing infections or make the body more susceptible to getting new ones. To reduce risk, patients should wash hands and avoid contact with people who have contagious infections like chickenpox, measles and the flu. Patients should consult their doctor in the event of infection exposure.

Patients can only receive vaccinations following the consent of their doctor. They should avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines, such as the flu vaccine inhaled through the nose.

Rapamune may increase the risk of skin cancer. It is important to limit time in the sun, and to avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. When outdoors, use sunscreen and wear protective clothing.

Patients preparing for surgery or certain dental procedures should inform their doctor or dentist about all medicines, supplements and herbal products they are taking.

This medication may harm an unborn baby and should not be used during pregnancy. Female patients must take precautions in order to prevent pregnancy before and during treatment, as well as the twelve weeks following treatment.

Rapamune may pass into breast milk and harm a nursing infant.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Rapamune should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time of the next dose, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up the dose in order to catch up.

Other Medications and Rapamune

Drug interactions may change the way Rapamune works, and can increase the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so.

Some medications – like the blood pressure drugs Fortekor and Prinivil – may interact with Rapamune. This is also the case with the immunosuppressant tacrolimus, blood cancer drug rituximab and natalizumab, which is used to treat multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease.

Medications such as the cancer drug enzalutamide, as well as mifepristone (used to abort early pregnancies), affect the removal of Rapamune from the body and may change its efficacy.

Other examples include antifungal medications such as itraconazole, ketoconazole and voriconazole, and various antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, rifampin and rifabutin. HIV drugs like indinavir and ritonavir, hepatitis C medications like telaprevir, and St. John’s wort also have a similar effect.

Rapamune, the active ingredient in Rapamune, is very similar to the chemotherapy drug temsirolimus. The two medications should not be used simultaneously.

Adverse Reactions

Many patients are able to take Rapamune safely without serious side effects, however, common side effects include diarrhea, joint pain, shaking, acne or trouble sleeping.

Serious side effects include persistent nausea and vomiting, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, muscle cramps, bone pain and unusual tiredness. Some patients experience increased thirst or hunger, frequent urination, hearing loss or ringing in the ears, irregular heartbeat, and easy bruising or bleeding. Mood changes, severe headache, dizziness, stomach pain and swelling ankles or feet are also possible.

Additional serious side effects include stomach pain, swelling abdomen, and changes in the amount of urine or frothy urine, which are signs of kidney problems. Patients should also monitor for pain, redness, or swelling of the arms and legs. Some women may experience heavy, painful or irregular periods.

Patients who experience chest pain or shortness of breath should seek immediate medical help.

Rapamune increases the risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a rare but possibly fatal brain infection. Patients should monitor for symptoms like clumsiness, loss of coordination, weakness, seizures or vision changes. The condition also manifests in symptoms such as difficulty talking, walking and changes in thinking (including confusion, difficulty concentrating and memory loss).

As this medicine suppresses immune function, patients undergoing surgery may notice that their wounds take longer to heal. The risk of poor healing is higher in obese patients. It is important to monitor for signs of poor healing such as redness, swelling and pain.

Rapamune may increase blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Patients may be required to have regular blood checks or take medication to control the problem.

This medication can cause a rash that is common and usually not serious. However, patients may have difficulty telling it apart from a rare rash which could signify severe reaction. Patients should seek medical help in the event of experiencing such a rash.

Serious allergic reactions to Rapamune are rare, yet patients should be aware of allergic symptoms such as rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness and trouble breathing.

How to Store Rapamune

Rapamune should be stored at room temperature away from light or moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.