Sirolimus

Sirolimus is one of several immunosuppressive drugs that is often prescribed to patients who are having a kidney transplant. The immune system often sees transplanted organs as foreign invaders and tries to attack them; to stop this from happening, patients have to take Sirolimus and other drugs to slow down or stop the immune system’s ability to function.

Side Effects/Warnings

Patients who are on immunosuppressive drugs are more likely to get serious infections because their immune systems are compromised. These patients may have fevers, chills, sore throats, nausea, vomiting or stomach pain because of infections.

Sirolimus also increases the chances that a patient will develop lymphoma, a serious cancer of the immune system, or skin cancer. Patients should discuss precautions against these cancers with their doctors and have regular screenings to detect cancer.