Sirolimus
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Sirolimus can be used in pregnancy if recommended by a specialist.
What is it?
Sirolimus (Rapamune®, Hyftor®) lowers the immune response. It is most commonly used after a kidney transplant to prevent rejection. Sirolimus is also used to treat a rare and potentially serious lung disease called sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis.
Benefits
What are the benefits of taking sirolimus in pregnancy?
Sirolimus reduces the chance of organ rejection in people with a kidney transplant. It can also slow the progression of sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Both of these can be life-threatening and can lead to pregnancy complications.
Risks
Are there any risks of taking sirolimus during pregnancy?
Very few pregnant women taking sirolimus have been studied, and while no obvious problems have been noted, more women need to be studied to rule out any ill-effects.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to taking sirolimus?
Possibly. If you are taking sirolimus and planning a pregnancy or find out you are pregnant, you should speak to your doctor to see if you need to switch to a different medicine. For some women, continuing sirolimus in pregnancy may be necessary to prevent the rejection of a transplanted organ or to control sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to take medicines during pregnancy?
It is very important to take any medicines prescribed to prevent organ rejection if you have received a transplant, and to reduce lung damage if you have sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Not having the correct treatment can be dangerous to you and can also lead to pregnancy complications.
Your doctor will only prescribe medicines when necessary and will be happy to talk through any concerns.
Do not stop sirolimus without speaking to your midwife, GP or specialist.
Will my baby need extra monitoring?
All pregnant women in the UK should be offered a detailed anomaly scan as part of their routine antenatal care. This is normally carried out at around 20 weeks of pregnancy but may be offered slightly earlier in women taking sirolimus.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken sirolimus?
We do not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father takes sirolimus.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.