Tacrolimus
Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressant used to prevent organ transplant rejection and to treat eczema. PockDose lists Prograf capsules in 0.5mg, 1mg and 5mg and Protopic ointment in 0.03% and 0.1%.
One ingredient, two very different jobs
Tacrolimus turns down the activity of the immune system. In capsule form it is given with other medicines to stop a transplanted kidney, liver, lung or heart being rejected. As an ointment it calms the immune reaction inside the skin that keeps eczema inflamed. Same active ingredient, two jobs that never overlap.
Two listings carry it here: Prograf capsules and Protopic ointment. Both sit in autoimmune care.
Prograf capsules: 0.5mg, 1mg and 5mg
Prograf comes as 0.5mg, 1mg and 5mg capsules, taken twice a day about twelve hours apart. Food is not a problem either way, but the routine should stay the same day to day — with breakfast and with dinner, or always on an empty stomach — so the level in the body stays even. Swallow the capsule whole; opening or crushing it changes how fast it is absorbed.
A shelf away from the cooker and the window is fine.
Protopic ointment for eczema
Protopic is tacrolimus in a topical ointment, 0.03% and 0.1%, used for eczema (atopic dermatitis) that has not been controlled by other treatments. Apply a thin layer to the affected areas twice a day and rub it in gently. Wash your hands afterwards, unless the hands are the area being treated. Stinging, burning or itching at the site is common in the first few days and usually settles. Alcohol can bring on flushing and itching of treated skin. Keep the tube closed and do not freeze it.
What tacrolimus can cause
Shaking hands (tremor), headache, diarrhoea, nausea, higher blood pressure and shifts in kidney function, blood sugar and potassium are the well-known effects of the capsules; blood tests during treatment keep an eye on them. Because the immune system is working at a lower level, infections take hold more easily, and long-term use raises the risk of lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. The ointment's effects stay local: stinging, itching and redness where it is applied.
Grapefruit, antifungals and other medicines
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can push tacrolimus levels up by slowing the liver enzymes that clear it. Antifungals such as ketoconazole and the antibiotic clarithromycin have a similar effect, while St John's wort does the opposite and can leave too little in the body. Tacrolimus is usually taken alongside other medicines that quieten the immune system, which adds to the overall effect.
Sources
- Tacrolimus: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus / U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Immunosuppressants (Anti-rejection Medicines) — National Kidney Foundation
Where can I buy Tacrolimus in Hong Kong?
Tacrolimus can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The range covers generic Prograf capsules in 0.5mg, 1mg and 5mg, generic Protopic tubes in 0.03% and 0.1%, also sold as Tacrolimus tubes, with more listed on the page. Tracked courier delivery to Hong Kong takes 5 to 9 business days and comes with online tracking.
How are Tacrolimus prices shown?
It depends on the product, strength and pack size. Each of the two tacrolimus products listed here shows its current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Does PockDose sell generic Protopic?
Yes, PockDose sells generic Protopic as 0.03% and 0.1% tubes containing tacrolimus. The same product is also sold as Tacrolimus tubes in 0.03% and 0.1%, and generic Prograf capsules in 0.5mg, 1mg and 5mg are also listed.
What brand names does tacrolimus have?
Advagraf, Prograf and Protopic are brand names of tacrolimus, which is also sold as Adoport, Envarsus, Pangraf and Tacroz. Here, tacrolimus can be bought online as generic Prograf and generic Protopic. These are generics, not the original brand.
What is the difference between Prograf and Protopic?
They share the same active ingredient but work in different places. Prograf is a capsule taken by mouth, in 0.5mg, 1mg and 5mg, to stop a transplanted organ being rejected. Protopic is an ointment in 0.03% and 0.1% that is rubbed into eczema-affected skin.
Can I drink alcohol while using tacrolimus ointment?
Alcohol can bring on flushing, warmth or itching on skin treated with tacrolimus ointment. The reaction is usually strongest in the first days of use and eases as the skin settles, and skipping alcohol for a while avoids it altogether.
How do I apply Protopic ointment?
Squeeze a thin layer onto the eczema and rub it in gently until it disappears, morning and evening. Wash your hands after each application unless your hands are the treated area. A little goes a long way.
Does tacrolimus ointment thin the skin?
No. Unlike steroid creams, tacrolimus ointment does not cause the skin to thin or stretch, which is why it is often chosen for eczema on the face and neck. The trade-off is the stinging or burning many people feel for the first few days.
Is Protopic 0.1% stronger than 0.03%?
Yes. Each gram of the 0.1% ointment contains more tacrolimus than the 0.03% version. Both are applied the same way, thinly twice a day, and the strength used depends on the area being treated and how the skin has responded before.