Rapamune is an immunosuppressant medication that is used in conjunction with other medications to prevent rejection after a kidney transplant. It works in your body by blocking the activity of the blood cells that can cause your body to reject the new organ and is approved for prophylactic measures in patients 13 and older.
Commonly Reported Reactions
The most common adverse reactions reported by patients taking Rapamune include hypertension, constipation, abdominal discomfort, headache, diarrhea, fever, increased creatinine levels, increased triglyceride levels, increased cholesterol levels, peripheral edema, UTI (urinary tract infection), pain, arthralgia, nausea, thrombocytopenia and anemia.
Side Effects
Common side effects include insomnia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, joint pain, back pain, weakness, headache and acne. Severe side effects include severe allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or tongue); calf pain/swelling; darkly colored urine; chest pain; decreased urination; infection (altered vaginal discharge/odor, sore throat, fever or painful urination); mood changes; muscle pain; severe headache; skin discoloration/growths; night sweats; swelling of the lower limbs; shortness of breath; tremor; rapid heartbeat; unusual bleeding/bruising; fatigue; weight changes; problems with wound healing; vision changes or yellowing of the eyes/skin. If you experience any of these or other side effects, contact your doctor immediately.
Serious Adverse Reactions
There is possibility for serious adverse reactions when taking Rapamune These include infection, lymphomas or other malignant tumors due to the immunosuppressant action of the drug; hypersensitivity reactions (such as anaphylactic reaction or vasculitis); delayed or impaired wound healing and increased accumulation of fluid; increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels; deteriorating kidney function or delayed recovery of kidney function; elevated levels of protein excreted in the urine; interstitial lung disease (such as pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis); pneumocystic carinii pneumonia when not used in conjunction with an antimicrobial medication; and skin skin cancer.
Interactions
To lessen your risk of developing severe side effects or adverse reactions, be sure to tell your doctor about all medication (including supplements, vitamins and over the counter medications) that you take. Certain medications may interact with Rapamune, including ACE inhibitors, aminoglycosides, antifungals, HIV protease inhibitors, cyclosporine, danazol, amiodarone, cimetidine, bromocriptine, amphotericin B, diltiazem, erythromycin, tacrolimus, telithromycin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, phenobarbitol, St. John's Wort, atorvastatin, terfenadine or mycophenolate. Always consult your physician before beginning any new supplement or medication to avoid a dangerous interaction.
Considerations
Avoid contact with people who have infections or colds and watch for signs of having/developing an infection. Do not receive a live vaccine. Tell your dentist or doctor that you are taking this medication before receiving any care. Use effective birth control methods before you begin taking Rapamune, during treatment and for 3 months after discontinuing use.
Warning
Rapamune has not been recommended as a safe therapy for use in patients receiving a lung or liver transplant. Use of Rapamune in these cases has been linked to of mortality, HAT (hepatic artery thrombosis) and graft loss in patients receiving a liver transplant. For patients using Rapamune after a lung transplant, there is increased risk of bronchial anastomotic dehiscence (usually fatal).
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