Meta Information

ID:rapamycin

Name:Rapamycin

Schema Version:1.5

Alternate Names

• Sirolimus

Active Compound

rapamycin

Intervention Type

therapeutic_agent

Delivery

Route:

none

Scope:

• systemic

Regulatory Status

• us:rx_drug
• eu:rx_drug

Indication

Focus:

• disease_treatment
• healthspan

Description:

Prophylaxis of organ transplant rejection and treatment of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and certain cancers. | Rapamycin is a potent inhibitor of the mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, a key cellular signaling hub that governs growth, proliferation, and metabolism. By dampening mTOR activity, rapa...

Typical Protocol

• A common protocol involves 5-7 mg taken once weekly.
• Some protocols include a 'washout' period of several weeks after 8-12 weeks of use.

Expected Cost Mean

Low Cost:

40

High Cost:

200

Cost Type:

monthly

Description:

Cost for generic sirolimus, not covered by insurance for off-label healthspan use.

Summary

Rapamycin is a drug historically used to suppress the immune system after organ transplants and to slow abnormal cell growth in certain diseases. It achieves these effects by inhibiting a key cellular pathway called mTOR, which acts as a master regulator of cell growth and metabolism. Based on this same mechanism, researchers are now investigating its off-label use for healthspan optimization, as dampening the mTOR pathway may mimic the effects of caloric restriction and promote cellular maintenance processes that slow age-related decline.

Purpose

Inhibits the mTOR pathway to mimic caloric restriction and slow aging.

Card Summary

A prescription drug that inhibits the mTOR pathway, a core regulator of aging.

Drug Class

mtor-inhibitors

Drugs In Class

Empty Array

Impact

Score:

7.8

Justification:

Potently inhibits mTOR, a central and highly conserved pathway regulating the aging process.

Evidence

Grade:

B

Score:

5.5

Justification:

Extensive, robust animal data; human healthspan evidence is limited to small trials.

Safety

Score:

7.2

Justification:

Immunosuppressive effects and metabolic side effects require careful medical monitoring for off-label use.

Flags

• Can cause immunosuppression, increasing risk of infections.
• May negatively impact glucose metabolism and lipid profiles.
• Common side effects include mouth sores (stomatitis) and impaired wound healing.
• Interacts with many common drugs and grapefruit juice via the CYP3A4 enzyme.
• Long-term safety of intermittent dosing for healthspan is not yet established in humans.

Verdict

A top anti-aging candidate, but requires careful medical supervision due to risks.

Created

2026-04-29T19:09:36.463604Z

Ai Model

Gemini 2.5 Pro (High)