Sirolimus

What is this medication for?

Sirolimus is used to prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted organ. This occurs when your body's immune system recognises the transplanted organ as foreign and tries to attack it. 

This medication works by suppressing your immune system to prevent it from attacking the transplanted organ. 

Sirolimus may also be used for other indications as prescribed by your doctor.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional. 
• You may take this medication with or without food. However, you must take it consistently the same way each time - either always with food or always without food. 
• Do not crush, chew, or split the tablets. Swallow the tablet whole with water. 
• If you are also taking cyclosporine, take Sirolimus approximately 4 hours after taking cyclosporine.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember if it is not close to the next dose. However, if you are also taking cyclosporine, do not take the missed Sirolimus dose if it is within 4 hours of your next cyclosporine dose. Otherwise, you should skip the Sirolimus dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses together to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

• Inform your healthcare professional if: 
  • You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
  • You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. 
  • You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
• Avoid live vaccines while taking this medication. Inform your healthcare professional that you are taking this medication before receiving any vaccinations.
• Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
• If you have any questions about this medication, please discuss with your healthcare professional.

What are some common side effects of this medication? ​

• High blood pressure and high cholesterol
  • Your doctor will monitor your levels regularly and prescribe medications if needed
• Swelling of hands, feet, or legs due to fluid retention
  • Elevating your legs when sitting or lying down may help reduce swelling
• Stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, constipation, or feeling sick 
  • Stick to simple meals – avoid spicy food
• Anaemia (low red blood cell count) which may cause you to feel tired or weak
• Low platelet count which may increase your chance of bleeding or bruising
• Low white blood cell count which may increase your chances of getting an infection
• Headache
• Joint pain
• Acne or skin rash

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side-effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side-effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately? 

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following: 
•    Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue 
•    Difficulty in breathing
•    Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

You can also find out about drug allergies by watching these videos:

For videos in 中文, Melayu and தமிழ், click here

Some of the other rare but serious side effects include:
• Signs of serious infection such as fever of 38°C and above, chills, severe sore throat, or wounds that do not heal 
• Signs of lung inflammation: persistent dry cough, difficulty breathing, or chest pain 
• Signs of kidney problems: passing much less urine than usual, or blood in urine 
• Signs of blood clotting disorders: unusual bruising, pale skin, or fatigue 
• Any unusual lumps, changes in moles, or skin growths
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Avoid taking grapefruit when you are taking this medicine as grapefruit may interact with your medicine and increase the risk of side-effects. 
Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking other medications as they may interact with Sirolimus.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely? ​

Pack the medication into a bag and bring it back to the pharmacy where you received the medication from.