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Rapamycin (Topical)

Sirolimus (Topical)

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Meta Information

ID:rapamycin-topical
Name:Rapamycin
Schema Version:1.5

Alternate Names

  • Sirolimus (Topical)

Active Compound

rapamycin

Intervention Type

therapeutic_agent

Delivery

Route:
topical_skin
Scope:
  • local

Is Skin Health

True

Regulatory Status

  • us:rx_drug
  • eu:rx_drug

Indication

Focus:
healthspan
Description:
Topical rapamycin inhibits the mTOR pathway directly in skin cells, which is thought to reduce cellular senescence and promote collagen production. This local action aims to reverse or slow visible si...

Typical Protocol

  • Apply a 0.001% to 0.1% concentration cream to the face or hands once daily or every other day.

Expected Cost Mean

Low Cost:
50
High Cost:
150
Cost Type:
monthly
Description:
Compounded prescription cream, typically not covered by insurance for anti-aging purposes.

Summary

Topical rapamycin inhibits the mTOR pathway directly in skin cells, which is thought to reduce cellular senescence and promote collagen production. This local action aims to reverse or slow visible signs of skin aging, such as wrinkles and loss of volume, without the systemic side effects of oral rapamycin.

Purpose

Locally inhibits mTOR in skin to reduce signs of aging.

Card Summary

A topical cream that inhibits the mTOR pathway in the skin to reduce wrinkles and improve skin health, with minimal systemic absorption.

Drug Class

mtor-inhibitors

Drugs In Class

Empty Array

Impact

Score:
3.5
Justification:
Localized cosmetic benefits on skin aging; no evidence for systemic healthspan impact.

Evidence

Grade:
B
Score:
5.5
Justification:
Small human RCTs demonstrate reduced markers of skin aging and improved appearance.

Safety

Score:
3
Justification:
Minimal systemic absorption; primary risks are local skin irritation or dermatitis.

Flags

  • Systemic absorption is low but not zero; potential for systemic effects is unknown long-term.
  • Common side effects include localized skin irritation, redness, or dryness.
  • Often requires a prescription from a compounding pharmacy, quality can vary.
  • Long-term effects on skin health and skin cancer risk are not well-studied.

Verdict

Promising for skin aging, but long-term effects and safety are unproven.

Qualifier

topical, focused on healthspan

Created

2026-04-29T19:32:34.131754Z

Ai Model

Gemini 2.5 Pro (High)