Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant for transplant rejection, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, and the ingredient in Cyclomune drops for dry eye. Capsules come in 25mg to 100mg; bottles in 0.05% and 0.1%.
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.
How cyclosporine quiets an overactive immune response
Cyclosporine holds back the immune system at the source. T-lymphocytes, the white blood cells that coordinate an immune attack, need a chemical signal to switch on, and cyclosporine blocks that signal inside the cell. With fewer active T-cells, there is less inflammation, and a transplanted kidney, heart or liver is less likely to be rejected. The cost is a weaker defence overall: infections take hold more easily, and long courses raise the chance of some cancers, lymphoma and skin cancer among them.
Capsules for transplants, arthritis and psoriasis
Cyclosporine capsules come in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg and are swallowed whole with water. They are given with other medicines to prevent rejection of a transplanted kidney, heart or liver, and also in rheumatoid arthritis and severe psoriasis when other treatments have not done enough. Neoral is a branded version of the same medicine in 25mg and 100mg capsules: same active ingredient, fewer strengths. Some people need the smallest capsule, others the largest; which one suits depends on the condition and how the body responds.
Cyclomune drops for dry, inflamed eyes
Cyclomune is cyclosporine in an eye-drop emulsion, sold in 0.05% and 0.1% bottles for dry eye syndrome, also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca — when the eyes stop making enough tears or the tear film breaks up too quickly. The drops calm inflammation on the eye surface, which helps the tear glands work better. They are not a lubricant that acts in minutes the way artificial tears do; the change arrives gradually, over weeks of regular use. For dry, gritty eyes that need instant lubrication, the shop's eye care range covers those as well.
Side effects worth knowing about
The capsules often bring headache, tremor (shaking), nausea and stomach discomfort, tender or overgrown gums, and more hair on the face and body. Blood pressure tends to rise and kidney function can change, which is why blood tests form part of long-term treatment. The eye drops are gentler in that respect: stinging or burning as they go in, redness and watery eyes are the usual complaints. With either form, the immune system is running at a lower level, so infections are a greater risk and sun exposure deserves more care.
Taking the capsules steadily
Capsules go in at set times each day, with a steady gap between the dose and meals. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice slow the breakdown of cyclosporine, so levels can climb; St John's wort does the opposite. Certain antibiotics and antifungal medicines have a similar effect on levels, and other medicines that damp down the immune system add to cyclosporine's own action. Keep the capsules in their original blister or bottle, out of hot places and direct sun.
Sources
- Cyclosporine: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus
- Label: CYCLOSPORINE capsule, liquid filled - DailyMed — DailyMed
Where can I order Cyclosporine for delivery in Hong Kong?
Cyclosporine can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The range is Cyclomune bottles at 0.05% and 0.1%, Cyclosporine capsules in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg, and generic Neoral capsules in 25mg and 100mg. Payment is by Visa, Mastercard or American Express on a secure, encrypted payment page, or by Bitcoin or Ethereum.
How much do Cyclosporine products cost in Hong Kong?
It depends on the product, strength and pack size. Each of the three cyclosporine products listed here shows its current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Can I buy generic Neoral in Hong Kong?
Yes, generic Neoral is listed as 25mg and 100mg capsules and contains cyclosporine. The page also carries Cyclosporine capsules in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg, and the named version Cyclomune in 0.05% and 0.1% bottles.
What are the brand names for cyclosporine?
Sandimmune and Neoral are brand names of cyclosporine, which is also sold as Cequa, Ikervis, Restasis, Verkazia and Gengraf. Here, cyclosporine can be bought online as Cyclomune, generic Neoral and cyclosporine capsules. These are generics, not the original brand.
Can I drink grapefruit juice while taking cyclosporine capsules?
No — grapefruit and grapefruit juice slow the liver's breakdown of cyclosporine, so more of the medicine stays in the body and levels can rise. That applies to the capsules. The Cyclomune eye drops are not swallowed, so a glass of juice has no real effect on them.
How long do Cyclomune eye drops take to work?
Not overnight. Unlike artificial tears, which lubricate straight away, Cyclomune works on the inflammation behind dry eye, so the benefit builds up gradually over weeks of steady use rather than appearing after the first drop.
Are the side effects of the eye drops different from the capsules?
They are. The capsules work throughout the body, so raised blood pressure, kidney changes, shaking, gum swelling and extra hair growth are the concerns. The drops act where they land, and the usual complaints are stinging or burning when they go in, redness and watery eyes.
Is Neoral the same medicine as the unbranded cyclosporine capsules?
Yes. Neoral is a brand name for cyclosporine, so its capsules hold the same active ingredient as the unbranded version. What changes is the name on the box and which strengths are stocked; choose the strength that matches what you need.
Should cyclosporine capsules be taken with food?
With breakfast, lunch or dinner all work, and so does an empty stomach. What matters is keeping to one pattern: the same times each day and roughly the same gap between the capsule and your meals, since switching back and forth can shift how much is absorbed.