Exploring Rapamycin Side Effects: Weighing the Risks and Benefits

Exploring Rapamycin Side Effects: Weighing the Risks and Benefits

Understanding Rapamycin & Longevity

Rapamycin is a macrolide antibiotic that exhibits potent antitumor and immunosuppressive activity, used to prevent organ transplant rejection and treat rare lung disease.

It is produced by a bacterium called Streptomyces hygroscopicus and is known clinically as sirolimus or Rapamune. It was discovered over a century ago in the Easter Islands, and after the popular MD and pocast host Dr Peter Attia commented on it in his book "Outlive" as a prominent longevity intervention, Rapamycin now has become a pretty hyped up biohacking intervention; with multiple health enthusiasts forcing doctors to prescribe this "miracle drug" for longevity purposes. Is this anti-aging treatment safe for healthy people though?

Rapamycin works by inhibiting the mTOR pathway, which is involved in cell growth and metabolism. The main benefits of Rapamycin treatment come from inhibiting mTOR, and activating autophagy. You might wonder, what happens after one stops Rapamycin treatment? That's correct, clinical trials show that mTOR activity might bounce back, and it does so above its baseline. What does this mean for human health? It means that there might be multiple side effects related to cell growth and cell division. Aka cancer.

It does trigger autophagy, a process in which cells recycle their components, impacting various cellular mechanisms, including those in aging cells. But given the fact that autophagy can be activated through other, mTOR-independent pathways, is Rapamycin worth taking? Rapamycin has been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and may affect the body's ability to fight infections. In this article, we'll discuss all things Rapamycin, and how to safely boost your autophagy, to make sure you get the longevity benefits out of your supplement routine, without the dangers of uncontrolled cell growth.

Benefits and Risks of Rapamycin Supplement

Rapamycin has been used for many years as an immunosuppressant drug to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ and treat lymphangioleiomyomatosis, a rare lung disease that affects predominantly women.

It may also be effective in treating certain types of cancer and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

However, rapamycin can cause serious side effects, including allergic reactions, unusual tiredness, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar.

It may also increase the risk of skin cancer, liver disease, and heart disease.

Transplant patients taking rapamycin may be at risk of unusual bleeding, chest pain, and other complications.

Managing Side Effects of Rapamycin and Interactions

  • Grapefruit juice should not be consumed while taking rapamycin, as it may increase the risk of side effects.

  • Patients should inform their health care professional about any conditions, including high blood sugar, high cholesterol, or a history of cancer.

  • Regular blood checks and visits to the healthcare professional are necessary to monitor progress and manage side effects.

  • Patients should avoid sun exposure and use protective clothing and sunscreen if they must be in the sun.

  • Women of childbearing age should use effective birth control before, during, and for 12 weeks after stopping the medicine.

Using Rapamycin Effectively: Where to Buy Rapamycin

Rapamycin should be taken by mouth as directed by a healthcare professional, usually once daily.

The medicine should be swallowed whole, without crushing, chewing, or splitting the tablets.

Patients should read the Medication Guide provided by their doctor before starting treatment and each time they get a refill.

Low-dose rapamycin may be effective in slowing down human aging, but more research is needed to confirm this. Additionally, rapamycin shows promise in cancer therapy by targeting specific cellular processes linked to cancer, such as the role of mTOR in cancer development.

Conclusion

  • Rapamycin is a powerful immunosuppressant drug that can be effective in preventing organ transplant rejection and treating rare lung disease.

  • However, it can cause serious side effects and interact with other medications.

  • Patients should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of rapamycin and follow the guidance of their healthcare professional to minimize the risk of side effects and maximize the benefits of treatment.

 

Researched and reviewed by Dr Elena Seranova, Ph.D.

Dr Seranova holds an M.Sc in Translational Neuroscience from the University of Sheffield, UK, and a Ph.D in Stem Cell Biology and Autophagy from the University of Birmingham, UK. She is a published author in multiple peer-reviewed journals, including Cell Reports and Developmental Cell.