Rapamycin, also known by its generic name sirolimus, is a macrolide compound initially isolated from the bacterium *Streptomyces hygroscopicus* found in a soil sample from Easter Island (Rapa Nui). It was first identified for its antifungal properties, but its immunosuppressive activity quickly became its primary focus in medicine. Rapamycin gained initial approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999 as an immunosuppressant to prevent organ rejection in kidney transplant recipients. It is also used in drug-eluting stents to prevent restenosis and in the treatment of a rare lung disease called lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Increasingly, Rapamycin is being studied for its potential effects on aging and longevity due to its unique mechanism of action on cellular pathways. (FDA label, DrugBank)
Deep dive
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Known interactions
Category rule: supplement × medication
Note
Some supplements change how the body processes medications (absorption, liver enzymes, or additive effects).
Specific pairs are checked against a licensed drug database and shown with their own severity. Always confirm with your provider or pharmacist.
Category rule: vitamin × medication
Note
Certain vitamins interact with specific medications (e.g., vitamin K with blood thinners).
Specific pairs are checked against a licensed source; confirm with your provider.
Compound-pair rule
Caution
Both metabolized by CYP3A4; rapamycin can raise statin levels and myopathy risk.
Separate dosing and monitor for muscle symptoms.
Sources referenced
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label
- DrugBank
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- MedlinePlus
- PubChem
- Examine.com
- ClinicalTrials.gov
Stackwise compiles summaries from publicly available scientific and regulatory references. Always verify important decisions with a licensed clinician.
Related compounds
Others in the medication category or studied for the same goals.
