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| Pronunciation |
|
 (sir
OH li
mus) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Rapamune® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Immunosuppressant Agent |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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|
- You will have an increased risk of getting infections. Avoid crowds
and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to sirolimus or any other part of the
medicine.
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|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine prevents the body's rejection after a kidney transplant.
It is used in combination with other medicines to help the body accept the new
organ.
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| How does it work? |
|
|
- Sirolimus decreases the body's response to a transplanted kidney. It
quiets the immune system.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- Take with or without food, but be consistent. Always take with food or
always take on an empty stomach.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
- Take this medicine 4 hours after cyclosporine capsules
(Neoral®) or oral solution
(Neoral®).
- Oral solution:
- Put 1/4
cup of water or orange juice into a glass or plastic container.
- Measure the medicine in the oral dose syringe. Empty medicine from
syringe into container. Mix well and drink now.
- Fill container again with
1/4
cup of water or orange juice. Mix well and drink now.
- Medicine in the pouch:
- Put 1/4
cup of water or orange juice into a glass or plastic container.
- Empty medicine from the pouch into the container. Squeeze it all out.
- Mix well and drink now.
- Fill container again with
1/4
cup of water or orange juice. Mix well and drink
now.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check all medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not
mix well with other medicines.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust. Start it before this medicine is started, while taking this
medicine, and for 3 months after this medicine is stopped.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- High blood pressure.
- High cholesterol and lipids.
- Rash.
- Swelling of legs.
- Anemia.
- Diarrhea.
- Muscle aches.
- Risk of infection. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or
flu.
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| What should I monitor? |
|
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- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Check blood pressure regularly.
- Check temperature. Watch for signs of
infection.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Fever and/or chills.
- Severe headache.
- Severe diarrhea.
- Unusual bruising or bleeding.
- Feeling worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a refrigerator. Protect from light. Once the bottle is
opened, it should be used in 1 month.
- You can store your medicine at room temperature for several days, but
no longer than 1 month.
- Medicine drawn up in a syringe can be kept at room temperature for 24
hours. Throw the syringe away after use.
- The oral solution may look hazy when refrigerated. Bring up to room
temperature and shake gently until haze goes away. Then take
medicine.
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| General statements |
|
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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