Rapamycin (Sirolimus)
Sirolimus / Rapamune / mTOR Inhibitor
A macrolide immunosuppressant originally isolated from Streptomyces hygroscopicus on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). FDA-approved for organ transplant rejection and lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Inhibits mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1), the master regulator of cell growth, autophagy, and aging. Low-dose weekly rapamycin is the most studied pharmacological longevity intervention in animal models, extending lifespan 10–25% across multiple species.
Half-life
57–63 hours
Typical Dose
1–6 mg once weekly (longevity dosing)
3.5999999999999996/6Route
oral
Category
immune
Evidence Overview
Strength of evidence across clinical, expert, and experimental lanes.
How Rapamycin (Sirolimus) is dosed in practice
Usually taken by mouth. Typical range: 1–6 mg once weekly (longevity dosing). Half-life: 57–63 hours. Each card gives the dose, frequency and duration from one evidence lane: Clinical (human trials), Expert (practitioner protocols) or Experimental (early or animal data). These ranges describe what has been studied or used; they are not a prescription.
Work out the units to draw with the reconstitution calculator, how long a vial lasts with the vial duration calculator, and how levels fall between doses with the half-life calculator.
Approved for kidney transplant rejection prophylaxis and lymphangioleiomyomatosis. In healthy older adults, 5 or 10 mg weekly for 48 weeks (PEARL, 2025) was relatively safe; visceral fat, the primary outcome, did not change.
- Drug label (sirolimus)
- Randomized trial in healthy older adults (2025)
Longevity-medicine practitioners prescribe 3–6 mg rapamycin once weekly with regular monitoring. Key labs: CBC, CMP, lipid panel, HbA1c every 3 months. Expect elevated triglycerides and LDL. Weekly pulsed dosing aims to inhibit mTORC1 while allowing mTORC2 recovery (mTORC2 inhibition causes metabolic side effects). Some practitioners add 2-week drug holidays every 3 months.
- Longevity medicine practitioner protocols
- Longevity-medicine practitioner discussions on rapamycin
- Matt Kaeberlein rapamycin research reviews
The longevity biohacking community considers rapamycin the single most promising anti-aging drug. Users report improved skin quality, enhanced immune function (fewer colds), and reduced inflammation. Main complaints: mouth sores (aphthous ulcers) at higher doses and elevated lipids. Dog Aging Project data eagerly awaited. Some users cycle 8 weeks on / 4 weeks off.
- r/longevity rapamycin experience threads
- Rapamycin News community (rapamycin.news)
- Dog Aging Project preliminary data
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Upgrade to ProSafety & Contraindications
- Active infection (immunosuppressant)
- Impaired wound healing situations (delays healing)
- Severe hepatic impairment
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Pre-existing hyperlipidemia (rapamycin raises lipids)
Rapamycin (Sirolimus): common questions
What is Rapamycin (Sirolimus)?
A macrolide immunosuppressant originally isolated from Streptomyces hygroscopicus on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). FDA-approved for organ transplant rejection and lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Inhibits mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1), the master regulator of cell growth, autophagy, and aging. Low-dose weekly rapamycin is the most studied pharmacological longevity intervention in animal models, extending lifespan 10–25% across multiple species.
How is Rapamycin (Sirolimus) dosed?
Rapamycin (Sirolimus) is usually taken by mouth. Typical range in DoseCraft's library: 1–6 mg once weekly (longevity dosing). Clinical (human trials): Label: 6 mg loading dose then 2 mg/day maintenance, adjusted to blood levels (transplant); aging trial: 5–10 mg once weekly; Once daily (label); once weekly (aging trial); Chronic (transplant); 48 weeks (aging trial). Expert (practitioner protocols): 3–6 mg once weekly; Once weekly, same day each week; Ongoing with quarterly monitoring. Experimental (early or animal data): 3–5 mg once weekly; Once weekly; Ongoing with periodic breaks. These ranges describe what has been studied or used; they are not a prescription.
Is Rapamycin (Sirolimus) FDA-approved?
Rapamycin (Sirolimus) is FDA-approved, but for a specific indication; most uses discussed for it are off-label.
What is the half-life of Rapamycin (Sirolimus)?
DoseCraft's library lists a half-life of 57–63 hours. Half-life sets how often a compound is dosed and how long it takes to clear: about five half-lives.
Who should not use Rapamycin (Sirolimus)?
Listed contraindications: Active infection (immunosuppressant); Impaired wound healing situations (delays healing); Severe hepatic impairment; Pregnancy or breastfeeding; Pre-existing hyperlipidemia (rapamycin raises lipids).
Information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any peptide regimen.
Page updated . How we grade evidence: methodology.