Sirolimus (Systemic)

Brand Names : rapamycin, Rapamune

Proper Use of This Medicine

This medicine usually comes with patient information or directions. Read them carefully and make sure you understand them before taking this medicine. If you have any questions, ask your health care professional.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more or less of it, and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. The exact amount of medicine you need has been carefully worked out. Using too much will increase the risk of side effects, while using too little may lead to rejection of your transplanted kidney.

To help you remember to take your medicine, try to get into the habit of taking it at the same time each day. This will help sirolimus work better by keeping a constant amount in the blood.

Absorption of this medicine may be changed if you change your diet. This medicine should be taken consistently with respect to meals. You should not change the type or amount of food you eat unless you discuss it with your health care professional.

Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. You may have to take this medicine for the rest of your life to prevent your body from rejecting the transplant.

Sirolimus usually is used along with a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine) and cyclosporine (another immunosuppressive agent). Sirolimus should be taken 4 hours after cyclosporine modified oral solution (Neoral , SangCya ) or cyclosporine modified capsules (Neoral ). If you have any questions about this, ask your health care professional.

Mix sirolimus oral solution with at least 2 ounces (1/4 cup, 60 milliliters [mL]) of water or orange juice in a glass or plastic container. Stir the mixture well and drink it immediately. Then, rinse the container with at least 4 ounces (1/2 cup, 120 mL) of additional water or orange juice, stir it well, and drink it to make sure that all of the medicine is taken.

Dosing - The dose of sirolimus will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of sirolimus. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. If you have any questions about the proper dose of sirolimus, ask your doctor.

• For oral dosage form (oral solution or tablets):
  • Adults and children 13 years of age and older weighing 88 pounds (40 kilograms) or more: The usual dose is 2 milligrams (mg) a day after an initial one-time dose of 6 mg.
  • For children 13 years of age and older who weigh less than 88 pounds (40 kilograms) : The dose is based on body size. It is usually 1 mg per square meter of body surface area once a day after an initial one-time dose of 3 mg per square meter of body surface area.
  • For children up to 13 years of age: Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of sirolimus and remember it within 12 hours, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, go back to your regular dosing schedule, and check with your doctor. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store the oral liquid form in the refrigerator.
• Store tablets at room temperature.
• Protect from exposure to light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.