Rapamycin (Sirolimus)
rap-ah-MY-sin
Category
Compound type
Phase / Status
FDA approved for transplant. Research on aging/healthspan continues; off-label longevity use is not established as a proven medical therapy.
Standard Dose
Once weekly in some research uses or daily in transplant protocols
Half-life
Plasma elimination
Route(s)
Oral
Research Stage
Research phase not specified; exercise appropriate caution.
Overview
Rapamycin is a medication that reduces mTOR signaling, which may shift cells from a “growth” mode toward “maintenance.” It has strong clinical use in transplant medicine, while longevity uses remain investigational.
Plain-language summary
Rapamycin is a medication that reduces mTOR signaling, which may shift cells from a “growth” mode toward “maintenance.” It has strong clinical use in transplant medicine, while longevity uses remain investigational.
Administration Routes
- Oral
Also known as
Mechanisms
mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) complex 1 inhibitor — suppresses cellular growth signaling, can activate autophagy, and may reduce accumulation of damaged or senescent cells.
Detailed mechanism
mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) complex 1 inhibitor — suppresses cellular growth signaling, can activate autophagy, and may reduce senescent cell accumulation.
Safety
Side effects
- Immunosuppression (major concern at higher or daily dosing)
- Impaired wound healing
- Mouth sores (aphthous ulcers)
- Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides
- Possible insulin resistance at higher exposures
- Other laboratory or clinical effects may occur with long-term use
Reported benefits
- FDA-approved for preventing organ transplant rejection
- May activate autophagy (observed in research models)
- Under investigation for aging-related processes
- Requires careful monitoring in clinical use
Safety profile
Safety profile established through clinical use, but it requires monitoring for immunosuppression and metabolic/laboratory effects.
Clinical trials
Phase 2 and other clinical trials have explored additional indications; transplant safety is well established.
Structure
Verified structure
Rapamycin (Sirolimus)
Exact 2D structure can be rendered from a PubChem-backed canonical SMILES string.
- Chemical Formula
- C51H79NO13
- Molecular Weight
- 914.17 g/mol
- CAS Number
- 53123-88-9
- InChIKey
- QFJCIRLUMZQUOT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Stack Context
Stacks with
Comparison context
In longevity discussions, rapamycin is often described as an mTOR-targeting intervention. Other compounds in this space act through different pathways such as AMPK.
References
- 1View source
Rapamycin fed late in life extends lifespan in genetically heterogeneous mice (Nature)
2009
- 2View source
mTOR inhibition improves immune function in the elderly (Science Translational Medicine)
2014
- 3View source
TORC1 inhibition enhances immune function and reduces infections in the elderly (PLOS Biology)
2018
This profile summarizes research literature for education only. It is not medical advice, and it does not diagnose, treat, or recommend a dose. Consult a qualified professional before changing a protocol.