Compare Rapamune vs. Afinitor
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Prevents rejection of a transplanted organ.
Rapamune (sirolimus) is a reliable medicine that prevents rejection of an organ transplant but requires consistent monitoring.
Treats different types of cancer.
Treats different types of cancer, but can cause uncomfortable side effects.
Upsides
- Rapamune (sirolimus) is good at preventing organ rejection.
- Causes less harm to the kidneys with long-term use than similar medicines.
- Fewer effects on blood sugar and blood pressure compared to other immunosuppressants.
- Conveniently taken once daily.
- Afinitor (everolimus) comes as a pill rather than an injection, unlike some other cancer drugs.
Downsides
- You’ll need regular blood tests while taking Rapamune (sirolimus), especially when you first start the medicine.
- Can cause high lipids (fats like cholesterol and triglycerides), especially with lifelong use. You might need to take other medicines to control your lipids while on Rapamune (sirolimus).
- Raises your risk of infection and certain cancers.
- Afinitor (everolimus) has many uncomfortable and potentially intolerable side effects.
- You may be more prone to infections and take longer to recover from a wound while taking Afinitor (everolimus).
- Some prescription medications, vitamins and supplements can interfere with how Afinitor (everolimus) works.
- Afinitor (everolimus) might not be the best option if you have liver problems.
Used for
- Prevention of kidney transplant rejection
- Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
- Breast cancer
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Renal angiomyolipoma
- Renal cell carcinoma
- Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma
- Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Liquid
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$124.32
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$15463.81
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Side effects
17possible side effects
- Swelling in arms and legs54%
- High triglycerides45%
- High blood pressure45%
- High cholesterol43%
- Higher blood creatinine (marker of poorer kidney function)39%
- Constipation36%
- Headache34%
- Stomach pain28%
- Urinary tract infection26%
- Diarrhea25%
- Nausea25%
- Joint pain25%
- Fever23%
- Low red blood cells23%
- Acne22%
- Low white blood cells14%
- Rash10%
34possible side effects
- Mouth sores70%
- Rash59%
- Diarrhea50%
- Tiredness45%
- Swelling39%
- Stomach pain36%
- Nausea32%
- Fever31%
- Decreased appetite30%
- Headache30%
- Vomiting28%
- Weight loss28%
- Common cold25%
- Cough25%
- Nosebleed22%
- Nail disorder22%
- Itchy skin21%
- Difficulty breathing20%
- Weakness19%
- Decreased taste sensitivity19%
- Lung inflammation17%
- Urinary tract infection16%
- Joint pain15%
- Back pain15%
- Constipation14%
- Pain in extremity14%
- Difficulty sleeping14%
- Dry skin13%
- High blood pressure13%
- Dizziness12%
- Dry mouth11%
- Throat pain11%
- Diabetes10%
- Muscle spasms10%
Risks and risk factors
- Health problems in people with liver and lung transplants
- Cancer
- Taking Rapamune (sirolimus) for a long time
- Long exposure to sunlight
- UV light
- Serious infections
- Taking other immunosuppressants
- Age 60 or older
- Weak immune system
- High blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides)
- History of high cholesterol
- History of high triglycerides
- Drug interactions
- Taking multiple medicines
- Infection
- Kidney disease
- Lung problems
- Reaction to live vaccines
- Swelling of the airways or tongue
- Taking ACE inhibitor
- Mouth ulcers