Best Rapamycin Brands, Generics & Compounds

Choosing between rapamycin best brands is no longer just a matter of fulfilling a prescription; it is a critical decision for longevity enthusiasts who must balance bioavailability, manufacturing transparency, and clinical reliability. While Pfizer’s brand-name Rapamune remains the industry benchmark, the market is now flooded with Indian generics like Biocon (Rapacan), Zydus (Siromus) and Kachhela (Siroboon), each offering varying levels of documented quality.
Which Rapamycin Brand Is Most Recommended for Quality?
The Gold Standard: Rapamune (Pfizer)
Pfizer’s Rapamune is the undisputed gold standard for quality, as it is the original FDA-approved formulation utilizing proprietary NanoCrystal technology to maximize absorption. While it offers the lowest clinical risk, it is also the most expensive option, often costing four to ten times more than Indian generic alternatives.
Rapamune was the first drug to receive FDA approval (in 1999) for its specific use in preventing organ transplant rejection. For longevity seekers, the brand’s primary advantage lies in its delivery system; rapamycin is inherently lipophilic and poorly absorbed in the human gut. To solve this, Pfizer utilizes NanoCrystal technology, which reduces the particle size of sirolimus to enhance its oral bioavailability by approximately 30% compared to standard formulations
The Competition: Generic Rapamycin (Sirolimus) Tablets
For the off-label longevity community, two Indian pharmaceutical giants dominate the conversation due to their balance of price and proven efficacy.
Biocon (Rapacan) and Zydus (Siromus) are the most highly-rated generics in the longevity community. Users prioritize these brands because they are produced in FDA-inspected facilities (both companies have an FDA approved product range, that excludes Rapamycin) and consistently demonstrate expected blood concentration levels in independent “trough” testing.

Rapacan (Biocon)
Biocon is one of Asia’s largest biopharmaceutical companies, is a massive global player, and its subsidiary, Syngene, works with Western giants like GlaxoSmithKline and Bristol Myers Squibbis. Longevity enthusiasts ıften preferrs Rapacan for its availability and professional-grade documentation. Many users report that Rapacan provides the “cleanest” response with fewer reported fillers that might cause minor skin irritation or GI upset.
Biocon’s prospectuses provide an approximate oral bioavailability of 15%, which is the only bioavailability information available in the market.
Siromus (Zydus)
Zydus is a major global player that holds several FDA approvals for various other medications. Siromus is frequently cited on forums like Reddit’s r/longevity for having high manufacturing standards.
A 2024 independent laboratory test on 1 mg Zydus tablets showed an average concentration of 0.94 mg per tablet, a margin of error that many users find acceptable given the significantly lower price point. Zydus is the specific brand that is utilized in the University of Washington’s Dog Aging Project, lending it a level of institutional credibility that few other generics possess.

Siroboon (Kachhela)
Siroboon, manufactured by Kachhela Medex, is positioned as a budget-friendly option with recent Certificates of Analysis showing acceptable potency, Recent laboratory data for Siroboon has provided new confidence to its users. Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for various batches have shown:
- Siroboon 1 mg: Tested at 1.0096 mg (100.96%) of the label claim.
- Siroboon 2 mg: Tested at 1.96 mg.
- Siroboon 3 mg: Tested at 2.93 mg.
While these numbers suggest that the manufacturing of the active ingredient is accurate, Siroboon does not have the same level of presence in Western clinical trials. It is often used by those who are comfortable with a smaller manufacturer in exchange for competitive pricing.
Bioavailability of Rapamycin
The most critical factor in brand quality isn’t just the name, but the delivery mechanism. Sirolimus is highly lipophilic and has poor oral bioavailability. Rapamycin’s high lipophilicity means that its absorption is extremely sensitive to formulation and dietary intake; without the right delivery system or co-administration with fats, blood levels may remain below the therapeutic threshold.
The low bioavailability of Rapamycin is due to two main biological mechanisms;
- Extensive Metabolism: Sirolimus is extensively metabolized by the CYP3A4 isoenzyme system located in both the intestinal wall and the liver. This process breaks down the drug before it can enter the rest of the body.
- Drug Efflux: The drug also undergoes “counter-transport” by the P-gp drug efflux pump, which actively moves the drug from the cells of the small intestine back into the gut lumen.
Biocon’s prospectuses provide an approximate oral bioavailability of 15%, which means that when a dose of Sirolimus is taken by mouth, only about 15% of that dose actually reaches the systemic blood circulation to produce its intended effect. On the other hand, research shows that generic tablets can provide over 3.5 times the blood concentration of compounded forms.

Because of these metabolic and transport pathways, the amount of drug that actually enters the blood displays large interpatient variability. High-quality brands like Biocon and Zydus use enteric coatings to ensure the drug survives liver enzymes and stomach acid, and is absorbed in the small intestine.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Est. Quality Tier | Primary User Base |
| Rapamune | Pfizer | Tier 1 (Clinical) | Transplant, LAM Patients |
| Rapacan | Biocon | Tier 1 (High-Grade Generic) | Longevity Community |
| Siromus | Zydus | Tier 1 (High-Grade Generic) | Longevity Community |
| Siroboon | Kachhela | Tier 2 (High-Grade Generic) | Longevity Community |
Conclusion
The selection of a rapamycin best brand ultimately depends on your personal risk tolerance and budget. Pfizer’s Rapamune remains the choice for those who want the absolute highest clinical certainty. Generic brands like Biocon (Rapacan), Zydus (Siromus) and Kachhela (Siroboon), are getting widely used day by day and offer high-value alternatives for those on a budget, though they require a greater degree of self-monitoring through blood testing to ensure they are providing the desired physiological effects.
Regardless of the brand, blood level monitoring is the only way to account for individual absorption differences and ensure you are within the “longevity zone” for sirolimus.
Key Takeaway: Quality is best verified through “trough” blood testing rather than price alone. Always consult with a longevity-literate physician before beginning an off-label regimen.

Research suggests compounded versions often have lower absorption rates than commercial tablets due to the lack of specialized nanocrystal coating.
The most reliable method is a Sirolimus blood test (trough level) taken 24 hours after your dose. If the drug is high-quality, it should show a clear concentration spike.
While some use grapefruit juice to increase bioavailability, this is highly discouraged without medical supervision as it carries higher risks of toxicity.
You can significantly increase the bioavailability of any rapamycin brand by taking the medication with a high-fat meal or avoiding compounds like curcumin that may block its absorption.
Generally, yes, if they have 3rd Party tests that confirm they contain the correct active ingredient, though regulatory standards may be less stringent than in the U.S.
Aptly known as aphthous ulcers, these are the most common side effect and are often used by the community as a “proxy” to confirm the drug is active in their system
The high cost is due to patent history and the expensive NanoCrystal formulation used by Pfizer to ensure consistent bioavailability.
Experts recommend a sirolimus peak test (drawn 1-2 hours after dosing) or a trough test drawn just before your next dose.
Rapashop offers an expedited 10-day delivery, free with every order.
Resource links
Which Rapamycin brand to buy versus which to avoid?, Age Reversal Forum
Rapamycin, Rapamune, Sirolimus and Other Naming Conventions
Test results (Biocon Rapacan vs Pfizer Rapamune)
Rapamycin / Sirolimus from India, Lab Test Report on Quality / Purity
For Those Who Take Indian Generic Rapamycin, Which do you take?
Lab Test Report - Zydus Tablets
Rapamycin, Approved for Other Indications, Potentially Effective for MS, Study Suggests
Why & How to Test your Rapamycin




