GENERIC NAME: SIROLIMUS - ORAL SOLUTION (sir-oh-LEE-muss)
BRAND NAME(S): Rapamune
Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert
WARNING: This medication may make you more likely to develop an infection or certain types of cancer (e.g., lymphoma, skin cancer). Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, white patches in your mouth or a change in vaginal discharge. Also notify your doctor immediately if you have unusual lumps, swollen glands, unusual sweating or unexplained weight loss. When sirolimus has been used in liver transplants, an infrequent but potentially fatal liver problem has occurred (hepatic artery thrombosis). Use of this medication to prevent rejection of liver transplants is not recommended. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop: dark urine, stomach pain, yellowing eyes or skin, extreme fatigue or nausea. When sirolimus has been used in lung transplants, an infrequent but potentially fatal lung problem has occurred (bronchial anastomotic dehiscence). Use of this medication to prevent rejection of lung transplants is not recommended. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop: difficulty breathing.
USES: This medication is used to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs (e.g., kidney).
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth once daily, exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dosage depends on your condition and response to therapy. Learn all preparation and usage instructions in the product package. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about any of the information. Mix the prescribed dose of this medication with at least two ounces (1/4 cup, 60 ml) of water or orange juice in a plastic or glass container. Stir vigorously and drink immediately. Refill the container with at least four more ounces (1/2 cup, 120 ml) of water or orange juice, stir vigorously and drink immediately. Do not use grapefruit juice to dilute this medication. Avoid grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor specifically instructs you otherwise. This medication works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals (e.g., every 24 hours) and take this drug consistently with or without food. Other medications (e.g., antibiotics, other immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine) may be prescribed to prevent infections, and prevent rejection of the transplanted organ. Take these medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you use certain brands/types of cyclosporine (e.g., Neoral, SangCya), take sirolimus four hours after your dose of cyclosporine. Consult your pharmacist for more information. If a syringe is used to measure the prescribed dose, use a new syringe for each dose. Discard used syringes safely and properly.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Kidney Failure - Learn about kidney failure, in which the body has fluid retention, risen blood pressure, toxin build up and lack of red blood cells. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, and apetite loss.
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