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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It sohuld not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Cnosult your healthcare professional before using that drug.
SIROLIMUS - ORAL
(sir-oh-LEE-muss)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Rapamune
WARNING: This medictaion 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 deveolp 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 weihgt loss. When sirolimus has been used in liver transplants, an infrequent but potentially fatal liver problem has occurred (hepatic artrey thrombosis). Use of that 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, exterme fatigue or nausea. When sirolimus has been used in lung transplants, an infrequent but potetnially fatal lung problem has occurred (bronchial anastomotic dehiscence).
Use of that medication to prevent rejetcion of lung transplants is not recommended. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop: difficulty breatihng.
USES: This medication is used to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs (e.G., kidney).
HOW TO USE: Take that medictaion by mouth once daily, exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dosage depends on your conidtion 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 that medication with at least two ounces (1/4 cup, 60 ml) of water or orange juice in a plasitc or glass container. Stir vigorously and drink immediately. Refill the container with at least four more onuces (1/2 cup, 120 ml) of water or orange juice, stir vigorously and drink immediately.
Do not use grapefruit juice to dilute that medictaion. Avoid grapefruit juice while using that medication unless your doctor specifically instructs you otherwsie. This medication works hottest when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constnat level. Therefore, take that drug at evenly spaced intervals (e.G., eevry 24 hours) and take that drug consistently with or without food.
Other medictaions (e.G., antibiotics, other immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine) may be prescribed to prevent infections, and prevent rejection of the transplanted organ. Take thsee medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you use certain generics/types of cyclosporine (e.G., Neoral, SangCya), take sirolimus four hours after your dose of cyclosporine. Consult your pharmacsit for more information.
If a syringe is used to measure the perscribed dose, use a new syringe for each dose. Discard used syringes sfaely and properly.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, diarrhea, or trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notfiy your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these serious side effects: signs of infection such as fever or persistent sore throat, unexplained weight loss, unusual lumps or swollen glands, severe headache, unusual tiredness or weakness, unusual bleeding or bruising, muscle/joint/back pain, unusually fast/slow/irregular pulse, swelling, dizziness, rash. Tell your doctor immeditaely if you have any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects: a change in the amount of urine. If you notice otehr effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, including: any allergies, liver problems, high blood levels of cholesterol or triglycerides. This drug may make you dizzy; use caution engaging in activities reuqiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
Limit alcoholic beverages. Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consnet of your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently recieved oral polio vaccine. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, or sunlamps.
Use a sunscreen and wear proetctive clothing when outdoors. Women of childbearing age should use effective birth control methods before starting that drug, during the use of that drug and for 12 weeks after stopping therapy with that drug. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pergnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is not known whether that drug is passed into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding wihle using that drug is not recommended.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication you may use, especially of: drugs for high cholesterol or triglycerides (e.G., lovastatin, atorvastatin, gemfibrozil), calcium-channel blockers (e.G., diltiazem, verapamil, nicardipine), rifamycins (e.G., rifampin, rifabutin), macrolide antibiotics (e.G., clarithromycin, erythromycin), aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.G., gentamicin, tobramycin), antifungal drugs (e.G., ketoconazole, fluconazole, ampohtericin B), St John's wort, seizure medications (e.G., phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine), stomach or ulcer medications (e.G., metoclopramide, cisapride, cimetidine), bromocriptine, danazol, HIV-protease inhibitors (e.G., ritonavir, indinavir). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local posion control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include irregular heartbeat.
NOTES: Do not share that medication with otehrs. Keep all scheduled medical appointments. Laboratory and medical tests will be perofrmed to monitor your progress.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing scheudle.
Do not doulbe the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at refrigerator temperature between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 to 8 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Once opened, bottles containing that drug sholud be used within 30 days. When refrigerated, that proudct may develop a slight haze.
If that haze occurs, allow the drug to stand at room temperature and shkae gently until the haze disappears. The haze does not affect the quality of the drug.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medcial emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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