What You Should Know About Rapamune

Rapamune is the brand name used for Sirolimus – a drug that is used together with other medicines to prevent the rejection of a transplanted kidney by the body. Rapamune belongs to a group of drugs that are called immunosuppressive agents.

Usually, when someone undergoes an organ transplant, the body's white blood cells will want to get rid of the transplanted organ. However, Sirolimus comes to the aid of the patient by preventing the white blood cells from rejecting the transplanted organ. Sirolimus can also be used to treat lymphangioleiomyomatosis which is a rare lung disease that mainly affects women of childbearing age.

As good as Rapamune is in treating kidney related rejection, one must bear in that it is a very strong medicine that can cause serious side effects, such as renal failure. As a matter of fact, if you are contemplating the drug, the risks of taking it must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will have to make. The drug has also been attributed to the reduction of body's ability to fight infections. Therefore, discuss with your doctor about the benefits of this medicine as well as the risks beforehand.

The drug should be taken only as directed by a qualified medical doctor. It is imperative to guide against overdose or abuse in another way such as taken more than recommended. It should not be taken for a prolong period too. Since the exact amount you need has been carefully planned for your condition, abusing it unnecessarily will only increase the risk of side effects, while using too little may cause rejection of your transplanted kidney.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the drug should be used the same way every day. This simply means you should take it at the same time and take it consistently, either with or without food. If you feel like changing the dose or stop taking medicine, make sure you check with your doctor first. Besides, there is the possibility of taking this medicine for the rest of your life to prevent your body from rejecting the kidney transplant. You need to prepare your mind.

Lastly, the drug generally comes with a Medication Guide and patient directions. Make sure you read them carefully and understand them before start taking the drug. Should you have any questions at any time, ask your doctor for advice.