Rapamune® (sirolimus) tablets for transplant rejection and LAM

What Rapamune® Is and How It Works

Rapamune® (sirolimus) is an oral immunosuppressant used to prevent organ rejection after kidney transplant and to treat lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Many shoppers check Rapamune price and ask about rapamune without insurance when comparing options. This rapamune medication is available as 1 mg and 2 mg tablets and as an oral solution.

Rapamune® blocks the mTOR pathway to reduce T-cell activation. This lowers immune responses that can damage a transplanted kidney. In LAM, sirolimus helps stabilize lung function by slowing abnormal smooth muscle cell growth. Dosing is once daily, with therapeutic drug monitoring to guide dose adjustments.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy in Manitoba. Orders are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing, and you can order online or by phone during posted hours. We offer brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices, and customer-service chat is available during office hours for support. We source through licensed, vetted partner pharmacies so you receive authentic brands, a broad selection, and affordable pricing.

Indications include prophylaxis of kidney transplant rejection, typically with cyclosporine and corticosteroids, and the treatment of LAM to improve or stabilize lung function. Learn more about these conditions in our Organ Transplant Rejection Prevention and Lymphangioleiomyomatosis categories.

Dosage and Usage

Follow the prescribing clinician’s plan, and keep dosing consistent with or without food.

• Kidney transplant: an initial loading dose is often followed by 2 mg once daily, with adjustments to reach a trough concentration typically 5–15 ng/mL.
• LAM: many patients start at 2 mg once daily, then titrate based on trough levels and tolerability.
• Administration: swallow tablets whole with water. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
• Missed dose: if a dose is missed, take it when remembered unless the next dose is near; skip if needed. Do not double doses.
• Monitoring: trough sirolimus levels, kidney function, lipids, liver enzymes, complete blood count, and blood pressure are often checked.

• Storage: store tablets at 20–25°C (68–77°F) in a dry place, away from light.
• Oral solution: keep refrigerated at 2–8°C (36–46°F) in the original container; do not freeze.
• Diluted doses: once mixed in water or orange juice, use within 24 hours and keep refrigerated until use.
• Travel: carry Rapamune® in your hand luggage in original packaging with the label. Use an insulated bag for the oral solution and include cold packs for trips.
• Keep away from children and pets.

Forms include Rapamune 1mg tablets, Rapamune 2mg tablets, and an oral solution (1 mg/mL). Some patients and clinicians refer to sirolimus as rapamycin; references to rapamycin Rapamune or rapamune rapamycin describe the same active ingredient. Pfizer Rapamune is the originator brand.

Benefits and Savings

Rapamune® helps prevent acute rejection in kidney transplant recipients when used within a complete immunosuppression regimen. In LAM, sirolimus can stabilize or improve lung function and reduce symptoms like chylous effusions in many patients. Once-daily dosing simplifies routines compared with some multi-dose regimens. Therapeutic drug monitoring supports individualized care.

Ordering through YouDrugstore can offer 60–80% savings compared with typical U.S. pharmacy prices. Many patients comparing cost of rapamune find Canadian pricing more manageable, especially when paying rapamune out of pocket. Savings can still be significant without insurance.

Side Effects and Safety

Most people tolerate sirolimus, but side effects can occur. This is not a complete list.

• Common: mouth ulcers, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, edema, acne or rash, joint pain, headache, dizziness.
• Lab changes: high cholesterol or triglycerides, elevated blood pressure, anemia, low platelets, low white blood cells.
• Other: delayed wound healing, cough, nosebleeds, leg cramps.
• Serious: serious infections, lymphoma or other malignancies, interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis, kidney function changes (especially with calcineurin inhibitors), liver enzyme elevations, allergic reactions.

Do not use live vaccines during treatment. Strong CYP3A4 or P-gp inhibitors or inducers can raise or lower sirolimus levels. Examples include certain antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and herbal products like St. John’s wort. Avoid grapefruit products. Rapamune® is not recommended for liver or lung transplant recipients due to increased risks seen in those settings.

Discuss pregnancy plans with a clinician. Effective contraception is usually recommended during therapy and for a period after stopping. Breastfeeding guidance varies; confirm with the care team.

Onset Time

With a loading dose, therapeutic levels are often reached within several days. Steady-state concentrations occur in roughly 5–7 days with daily dosing, given the long half-life. Clinical stabilization in LAM may be seen over weeks to a few months, and transplant outcomes rely on maintaining target trough levels over time.

Compare With Alternatives

Therapy is tailored to each patient and transplant center protocol. Alternatives and partners in therapy include:

Tacrolimus (a calcineurin inhibitor) is commonly used as a backbone agent in transplant regimens and may replace or complement sirolimus depending on center practice and patient factors. It has a different side-effect profile, including tremor and potential diabetes risk.

Everolimus is another mTOR inhibitor used in transplant and in some oncology indications. Compared with sirolimus, it has a shorter half-life and different dosing. In some cases, everolimus may be considered if sirolimus is not suitable.

Cyclosporine and mycophenolate are also core options in kidney transplant regimens. The choice and timing of cyclosporine taper or discontinuation vary by protocol when sirolimus is part of the regimen.

Combination Therapy

In kidney transplantation, Rapamune® is often combined with cyclosporine and corticosteroids early after transplant, with possible adjustments later. In LAM, sirolimus is generally used alone, but supportive treatments for symptoms may continue. All immunosuppressive combinations require infection risk counseling, vaccine planning, and lab monitoring to balance efficacy and safety.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Rapamune® may be considered for adults after kidney transplant and for patients with LAM who need mTOR inhibition. Suitability depends on kidney and liver function, lipid profile, wound healing status, infection history, and potential drug interactions. It is not used for liver or lung transplant recipients. Clinicians also consider age, pregnancy plans, and cancer risk when weighing therapy.

You can set reorder reminders in your YouDrugstore account so refills are not missed. Multi-month supplies, when allowed on your prescription, can lower the per-month cost. If you are searching for a rapamune coupon or looking for rapamune discount options, see our current offers and bulk choices on the promotions page. This may help when comparing rapamune cash price options. If needed, our team can discuss options for those paying without insurance.

Explore related topics in our condition categories, including Organ Transplant Rejection Prevention and Lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Some readers also review our broader Cancer category to learn more about mTOR pathways and long-term safety.

Authoritative Sources

See the manufacturer’s information on Pfizer’s Rapamune page, the Health Canada Drug Product Database entry for sirolimus, and the FDA Prescribing Information for Rapamune for full prescribing details.

YouDrugstore offers caring support from a licensed Canadian pharmacy team and Canadian pricing on brand and generic medicines. Order online or by phone, and get prompt, express, cold-chain shipping to the U.S. when required for your medication.

This page provides general information about Rapamune® and sirolimus. It does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your medical history. Our pharmacists can address medication questions during posted hours.