Prograf vs. Rapamune

What are your thoughts on switching to Rapamune from Prograf, after the first few months post-transplant on Prograf?  For patients who were transplanted due to HCC, is it thought that Rapamune would have a lower chance of causing other cancers?  If Rapamune is as effective as Prograf, it would seem that everyone, not just HCC survivors, would switch due to the many fewer side effects.

Do the side effects due to Prograf such as numbness, tingling in the extremities, insomnia, tremor, diminish with time as the body adjusts to the drug?

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

there are ongoing studies to ascertain whether prevents recurrence of HCC.  Rapa itself is not the easiest medication to tolerate as it can cause a lot orf side effects.  mqny programs keep patients on a very small dose of prograf and add rapa.