Rapamune Side Effects

Generic name: sirolimus

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Mar 12, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Rapamune Side Effects associated with sirolimus. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Rapamune.

Applies to sirolimus: oral solution, oral tablet.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (solution; tablet)

Increased susceptibility to infection and the possible development of lymphoma and other malignancies may result from immunosuppressionIncreased susceptibility to infection and the possible development of lymphoma may result from immunosuppression.

Only physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy and management of renal transplant patients should use sirolimus for prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients receiving renal transplants.

Patients receiving the drug should be managed in facilities equipped and staffed with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources.

The physician responsible for maintenance therapy should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient.The safety and efficacy of sirolimus as immunosuppressive therapy have not been established in liver or lung transplant patients, and therefore, such use is not recommended.Liver Transplantation - Excess Mortality, Graft Loss, and Hepatic Artery Thrombosis (HAT)The use of sirolimus in combination with tacrolimus was associated with excess mortality and graft loss in a study in de novo liver transplant patients.

Many of these patients had evidence of infection at or near the time of death.

In this and another study in de novo liver transplant patients, the use of sirolimus in combination with cyclosporine or tacrolimus was associated with an increase in HAT; most cases of HAT occurred within 30 days post-transplantation and most led to graft loss or death.Lung Transplantation - Bronchial Anastomotic Dehiscence. Cases of bronchial anastomotic dehiscence, most fatal, have been reported in de novo lung transplant patients when sirolimus has been used as part of an immunosuppressive regimen.

Serious side effects of Rapamune

Along with its needed effects, sirolimus (the active ingredient contained in Rapamune) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking sirolimus:

More common side effects

• accumulation of pus
• anxiousness, unexplained
• backache
• black or red, tarry stools
• bleeding from the gums or nose
• blurred vision
• body aches or pain
• bone pain
• bruising
• burning or stinging of the skin
• burning while urinating
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• burning, tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
• change in mental status
• changes in skin color
• chest pain
• chills
• confusion
• cough
• dark or bloody urine
• deafness
• decreased urine output
• decreased vision
• difficulty with breathing or swallowing
• dilated neck veins
• discharge from the eyes
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• earache
• excessive tearing
• eye pain
• facial hair growth in females
• faintness or lightheadedness when getting up from lying or sitting position
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• fever
• flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• increased hunger
• increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• itching, pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, or warmth on the skin
• lack or loss of appetite
• large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
• loss of sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• loss of voice
• muscle pain
• nasal congestion
• nausea or vomiting
• numbness or tingling around the lips, hands, or feet
• pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves
• painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
• pale skin
• prolonged bleeding from cuts
• rapid heartbeat
• rash
• red or dark brown urine
• redness or swelling in the ear
• redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• ringing in the ears
• runny nose
• seizures
• sensation of pins and needles
• severe constipation
• severe vomiting
• severe, sudden headache
• slurred speech
• sore throat
• sores or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stomach cramps, pain, or upset
• sudden decrease in the amount of urine
• sudden loss of coordination
• sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
• sweating
• swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
• tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration, and prominent superficial veins over affected area
• tremor
• ulcers on the lips or in the mouth
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vision changes
• weakness or heaviness of the legs
• white patches in the mouth or on the tongue
• yellow skin and eyes

Less common side effects

• bloating
• change in size, shape, or color of existing mole
• hoarseness
• mole that leaks fluid or bleeds
• new mole
• pains in the stomach, side or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• skin ulcer or sores

Incidence not known

• abnormal wound healing
• headache
• hives or itching
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• nails loose or detached
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• swelling of the arms or legs
• yellow nails lacking a cuticle

Other side effects of Rapamune

Some side effects of sirolimus may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• abnormal vision
• acne
• belching
• blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
• burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feeling
• constipation
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• cracked, dry, or scaly skin
• crying
• decrease in frequency of urination
• degenerative disease of the joint
• depersonalization
• diarrhea
• difficulty with moving
• difficulty with passing urine (dribbling)
• dysphoria
• ear pain
• enlarged abdomen or stomach
• euphoria
• excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• excessive muscle tone, muscle tension or tightness
• fear
• feeling sad or empty
• hearing loss
• heartburn
• inability to have or keep an erection
• increase in heart rate
• increased hair growth, especially on the face
• increased urge to urinate during the night
• indigestion
• irritation in the mouth
• joint pain or swelling
• leg cramps
• loss of bladder control
• loss of energy or weakness
• loss of interest or pleasure
• loss of strength
• lower abdominal or stomach pain
• muscle aches, pain, stiffness, or weakness
• nervousness
• pain in the back, ribs, arms, or legs
• pain or burning in the throat
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• paranoia
• pelvic pain
• quick to react or overreact emotionally
• rapid breathing
• rapidly changing moods
• inflammation, redness, or swelling of the gums or mouth
• shaking or trembling
• shivering
• sleepiness
• sunken eyes
• swelling
• swelling of the scrotum
• tender or enlarged gums
• tenderness in the stomach area
• thickening of the skin
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• waking to urinate at night

For healthcare professionals

Applies to sirolimus: oral solution, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most common adverse reactions associated with this drug are peripheral edema, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, creatinine increased, constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, fever, urinary tract infection, anemia, nausea, arthralgia, pain, and thrombocytopenia.^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hypertriglyceridemia (up to 58%), hypercholesterolemia (up to 46%), hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hyperglycemia
• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal healing, increased lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), hypokalemia, diabetes mellitus^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Peripheral edema (up to 58%), hypertension (up to 49%), chest pain (up to 24%), edema (up to 18%), lymphocele
• Common (1% to 10%): Venous thromboembolism (including pulmonary embolism, deep venous thrombosis), tachycardia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pericardial effusion (including hemodynamically significant effusions in children and adults), lymphedema
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Pericardial effusion^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Constipation (up to 38%), abdominal pain (up to 36%), diarrhea (up to 35%), nausea (up to 31%), vomiting (up to 25%), dyspepsia (up to 25%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Stomatitis^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (up to 30%), upper respiratory infection (up to 26%), pharyngitis (up to 21%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia, epistaxis, pleural effusion, epistaxis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pulmonary hemorrhage
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Alveolar proteinosis
• Frequency not reported: Pleural effusion, alveolar proteinosis^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Anemia (up to 33%), thrombocytopenia (up to 30%), blood lactate dehydrogenase increased, blood creatinine increased
• Common (1% to 10%): Thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome, leukopenia, neutropenia, aspartate aminotransferase increased, alanine aminotransferase increased
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pancytopenia
• Frequency not reported: Capillary leak syndrome^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection (up to 33%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pyelonephritis, decline in renal function (creatinine increased) in long-term combination of cyclosporine with this drug, ovarian cysts, menstrual disorders (including amenorrhea and menorrhagia), proteinuria
• Postmarketing reports: Azoospermia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (up to 31%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Bone necrosis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 34%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Osteonecrosis, tremor, insomnia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Acne (up to 22%), rash (up to 20%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Herpes zoster, herpes simplex
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS), leukopenia, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma^[Ref]

Renal

• Very common (10% or more): Creatinine increased (up to 40%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nephrotic syndrome
• Frequency not reported: Focal segmental glomerulo-sclerosis, BK virus associated nephropathy, nephrotic syndrome, higher serum creatinine levels, lower glomerular filtration rates^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Eyelid edema^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Liver function tests abnormal
• Frequency not reported: Hepatic failure, hepatic artery thrombosis^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic/ anaphylactoid reactions, angioedema, exfoliative dermatitis, and hypersensitivity vasculitis^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fever (up to 34%), pain (up to 29%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Impaired healing^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Skin cancer, lymphoma/post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder
• Frequency not reported: Hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma, testicular adenoma^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Sepsis, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, herpes simplex, fungal, viral, and bacterial infections (such as mycobacterial infections, including tuberculosis, Epstein-Barr virus, CMV, and Herpes zoster), mycobacterial infections (including M tuberculosis), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus
• Frequency not reported: Clostridium difficile enterocolitis^[Ref]

Further information

Rapamune side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer