Sirolimus is used in combination with other medications to prevent rejection of kidney transplants. Sirolimus is in a class of medications called immunosuppressants. It works by suppressing the body’s immune system.

What is sirolimus?

Sirolimus (trade name Rapamune™) is a selective immune-suppressing drug. It is most commonly used in patients that have a transplanted kidney to prevent their body from rejecting the new organ.

The drug is derived from a bacterium called Streptomyces hygroscopicus, which was found in the 1970s on the island Rapa Nui, hence its alternate name, rapamycin.

What is sirolimus used for?

The main use of sirolimus is in patients with a kidney transplant. It may be chosen because other immune-suppressing drugs are causing side effects, or the patient is developing cancers associated with lowered immunity (including skin cancers). It is often used in combination with other immune-suppressing drugs such as ciclosporin or tacrolimus.

Oral sirolimus is also used off label in the treatment of graft versus host disease. It is under investigation for treating certain cancers and other diseases.

There have been small studies showing sirolimus may be effective in the following skin conditions:

Psoriasis, in combination with ciclosporin

Kaposi sarcoma

Angiofibromas in tuberous sclerosis

Lynch syndrome – malignancy risk less with sirolimus than other longterm immunosuppression

Pachyonychia congenita

Capillary, venous and lymphatic vascular malformations