Autoimmune Support
Immune-calming medicines for transplants, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, colitis, eczema and dry eye: azathioprine, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, tacrolimus, cyclosporine and more, as tablets, capsules, tubes and eye drops.
Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine
25/50/100mg
Cyclosporine capsules in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg strengths, an immunosuppressant used to prevent organ transplant rejection and to treat rheumatoid arthritis and severe psoriasis.
Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxychloroquine
200/400mg
Hydroxychloroquine tablets in 200mg and 400mg strengths, an antimalarial also taken long-term for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, sold in packs of 30 to 180.
Methotrexate
Methotrexate
2.5mg
Methotrexate 2.5mg tablets are used for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and some cancers; this antimetabolite listing comes in packs of 30, 60, 90 or 120 tablets.
Medicines that hold the immune system back
Most people arrive at this category from one of three starting points: a transplant, an inflammatory joint disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, or a skin or eye condition driven by the immune system. What the listings have in common is that they damp down immune activity. The price of that is a higher chance of infections, which is why most of them involve regular blood tests.
After a transplant
The anti-rejection group is the largest. Tacrolimus capsules are sold as Prograf in 0.5mg, 1mg and 5mg. Mycophenolate mofetil comes as CellCept 500mg tablets, and sirolimus as Rapamycin 1mg tablets, where mouth ulcers and raised cholesterol are the effects people mention most. Cyclosporine capsules come as Neoral in 25mg and 100mg and as plain Cyclosporine in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg; these are also taken for severe rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice push up the blood level of both tacrolimus and cyclosporine, so they are best left out of the diet.
Azathioprine crosses over: Imuran, also sold as plain azathioprine, comes as 25mg and 50mg tablets used for transplants, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. Take them after food if nausea is a problem. Benefit builds slowly over weeks.
Joint disease, lupus and colitis
For arthritis the choice is wider. Methotrexate 2.5mg tablets are taken once a week, never daily, and a daily slip is a genuine danger. Hydroxychloroquine (200mg and 400mg, as Plaquenil or plain Hydroxychloroquine) is the usual lupus tablet and also treats rheumatoid arthritis and malaria; long courses call for periodic eye checks. Leflunomide is Arava in 10mg and 20mg, a once-daily tablet that can raise liver enzymes. Baricitinib, the newest of the group, is Olumiant 4mg for rheumatoid arthritis and carries a raised risk of infections such as shingles.
Sulfasalazine 500mg tablets are listed for ulcerative colitis as well as rheumatoid arthritis. Take them with food and plenty of water, and expect your urine to turn orange.
For skin and eyes
Tacrolimus also comes as an ointment for eczema. Protopic, also sold as plain tacrolimus, comes in tubes at 0.03% and 0.1%, put on thinly where the rash is, with stinging at first the commonest complaint; keep the treated skin out of strong sun. For dry eye, Cyclomune is a cyclosporine eye-drop bottle in 0.05% and 0.1%, which suits chronic dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) where lubricating drops no longer do enough.
Sources
- About azathioprine - NHS — NHS
- Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) for Patients with Autoimmune Disorder | CUH - Cambridge University Hospitals — Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
What autoimmune medicines can I buy online in Hong Kong?
You can buy azathioprine (generic Imuran) tablets in 25mg and 50mg strengths. Hydroxychloroquine tablets come in 200mg and 400mg, alongside generic Plaquenil. Methotrexate tablets are 2.5mg. For skin use, tacrolimus tubes (generic Protopic) are 0.03% and 0.1%.
Which strengths of azathioprine (generic Imuran) are listed?
Azathioprine, listed as generic Imuran, comes as tablets in 25mg and 50mg strengths and is listed for rheumatoid arthritis and transplant rejection prevention. Hydroxychloroquine and generic Plaquenil are 200mg and 400mg tablets for lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and malaria.
How discreetly do autoimmune medicines arrive in Hong Kong?
Orders arrive in plain, unbranded packaging. Tracked courier takes 5–9 business days; standard airmail takes 14–21 business days and is untracked. See delivery and ordering details.
How long does azathioprine take to work?
Usually several weeks, sometimes up to three months, before the full effect for arthritis or colitis shows. Keep taking it daily meanwhile. Nausea eases for many people if the tablet is taken after a meal.
Can I eat grapefruit with tacrolimus or cyclosporine?
It is better to avoid it. Grapefruit slows the way the body clears both medicines, so the level in your blood climbs higher than intended. This applies to the juice as well as the fruit.
What is the difference between Protopic and Cyclomune?
They share nothing but the immune-calming idea. Protopic is tacrolimus ointment for eczema on the skin, in 0.03% and 0.1% tubes. Cyclomune is cyclosporine eye drops for dry eye, in 0.05% and 0.1% bottles.
Is methotrexate taken every day?
Not for arthritis or psoriasis. The 2.5mg tablets are taken as one weekly dose on the same day each week, often alongside folic acid. Daily dosing by mistake can seriously harm the blood and liver.