Buy Generic Imuran Online

Generic Imuran Information

Introduction

Imuran (azathioprine) is an oral immunosuppressive medication used extensively in the management of autoimmune disorders and to prevent organ‑rejection after transplantation. In Hong Kong, it is prescribed by specialists in rheumatology, gastroenterology, dermatology and transplant medicine. The active compound is azathioprine, a purine‑analogue that interferes with nucleic‑acid synthesis in rapidly dividing cells, particularly lymphocytes. Although classified by some formularies under “pain relief” because it reduces inflammatory activity, its primary therapeutic purpose is to modulate the immune system rather than to provide direct analgesia.

What is Imuran?

Imuran is a tablet formulation that contains the synthetic purine analogue azathioprine. It was originally developed and marketed by Roche and is now produced by multiple generic manufacturers worldwide.

Imuran is the generic version of the original brand name Azasan (and other regional brands such as Imuran®, Aza­thiop‑R​). Our online pharmacy provides this generic alternative as a cost‑effective treatment option for patients in Hong Kong who require long‑term immunosuppression.

How Imuran Works

Azathioprine is a pro‑drug that is converted in the liver to 6‑mercaptopurine (6‑MP) and then to thioguanine nucleotides. These metabolites are incorporated into DNA and RNA of proliferating cells, especially activated T‑ and B‑lymphocytes. The result is:

• Inhibition of purine synthesis, preventing clonal expansion of immune cells.
  Suppression of cytokine production**, leading to reduced inflammatory signaling.

Because lymphocytes rely heavily on de novo purine synthesis, azathioprine preferentially dampens the adaptive immune response while sparing most non‑immune tissues. Therapeutic effects typically appear within 2–4 weeks for inflammatory disorders and within 1–2 weeks for transplant prophylaxis, correlating with the time needed for intracellular thioguanine nucleotide accumulation.

Conditions Treated with Imuran

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – reduces joint inflammation and halts radiographic progression when combined with other disease‑modifying agents.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) – used for severe organ involvement (e.g., nephritis, central nervous system disease).
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – maintenance therapy for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis when steroid‑sparing is desired.
• Dermatologic autoimmune diseases – includes pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid, and severe atopic dermatitis.
• Organ transplantation – component of multidrug regimens to prevent acute rejection of kidney, liver, heart and lung grafts.

In Hong Kong, the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (≈.5 % of adults) and IBD (≈.2 % of the population) creates a steady demand for azathioprine. Its oral route and relatively low monitoring cost make it a practical choice in both public and private healthcare settings.

Who is Imuran For?

• Adults with moderate to severe autoimmune disease who have an inadequate response to first‑line agents (e.g., NSAIDs, low‑dose steroids).
• Transplant recipients requiring long‑term prophylaxis against graft rejection, typically in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor and corticosteroid.
• Patients who need a steroid‑sparing agent to minimise corticosteroid‑related side effects such as osteoporosis, hyperglycaemia or hypertension.

Contra‑indications include:

• Known hypersensitivity to azathioprine or mercaptopurine.
• Severe hepatic impairment (Child‑Pugh C).
• Pregnancy (category D) unless the benefit outweighs risk and no safer alternative exists.
• Active, uncontrolled infection or recent live‑virus vaccination.

Risks, Side Effects, and Interactions

Common

• Nausea, vomiting or abdominal discomfort.
• Mild leukopenia (white‑blood‑cell count < 4 × 10⁹/L).
• Elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST).
• Skin rash or milduritus.

Rare

• Fever or flu‑like syndrome without infection.
• Pancreatitis (abdominal pain with amylase elevation).
• Hair loss (alopecia).
• Arthralgia unrelated to underlying disease.

Serious

• Bone‑marrow suppression – severe neutropenia, anemia or thrombocytopenia may lead to life‑threatening infections or bleeding.
• Hepatotoxicity – marked transaminase rise, cholestasis or hepatic fibrosis with long‑term use.
• In risk – opportunistic infections (e.g., Pneumocystis jirovecii, cytome) due to impaired immunity.
• Malignancy – increased long‑term risk of lymphoma, skin cancers and other solid tumours, particularly at higher cumulative doses.

Clinically Relevant Drug–Drug Interactions

• Allopurinol or febuxostat – potentiate azathioprine toxicity; dose of azathioprine should be reduced to ≤ 25 % of the usual dose.
• Warfarin – azathioprine may enhance anticoagulant effect; monitor INR closely.
• Live vaccines (e.g., varicella, yellow fever) – contraindicated while on azathioprine because of reduced immune response.
• Mycophenolate, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate – additive myelosuppression; frequent blood‑count monitoring required.

Patients should disclose all prescription, over‑the‑counter and herbal products to their clinician before initiating therapy.

Practical Use: Dosing, Missed Dose, Overdose

• Standard adult dosing (adjusted for indication, body weight and renal/hepatic function):

  • Rheumatoid arthritis / SLE: 1–2 mg/kg/day in divided doses.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease: 2–2.5 mg/kg/day, usually in a single morning dose.
  • Organ transplantation: 1–3 mg/kg/day, often split into two doses.

  Dose titration is guided by complete blood count (CBC) and liver‑function tests (LFTs) at baseline, then weekly for the first month, and monthly thereafter.

• Missed dose – take the forgotten tablet as soon as remembered unless the next scheduled dose is within 6 hours; in that case, skip the missed tablet and continue the regular schedule. Do not double‑dose.

• Overdose – ingesting more than the prescribed amount can cause profound bone‑marrow suppression and hepatic injury. Seek immediate medical attention; supportive care may include granulocyte colony‑stimulating factor (G‑CSF) and liver monitoring.

• Precautions – avoid excessive alcohol, which can worsen hepatotoxicity. Food does not significantly affect absorption, but taking the tablet with a small amount of food may reduce gastrointestinal upset. Discuss dose adjustments if you develop renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min).

Buying Imuran from Our Online Pharmacy

Imuran can be purchased safely from our online pharmacy in Hong Kong. Our service offers:

• Affordable pricing – we source the medication near manufacturer cost, passing savings directly to you.
• Verified quality – every batch comes from licensed overseas suppliers audited for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
• Guaranteed delivery – discreet packaging with express shipping (typically 5–7 days) or regular airmail (≈3 weeks).
• Online‑only access – a convenient platform for patients who face limited availability in local pharmacies or who lack insurance coverage for high‑cost brand products.

We operate as a pharmacy‑broker service, partnering with internationally accredited pharmacies. This model enables discreet, privacy‑focused fulfillment while complying with Hong Kong import regulations for personal‑use medicines.

FAQ

• Is Imuran available in both brand‑name and generic forms in Hong Kong?
  Yes. The original brand name is Azasan (and related names such as Imuran®), while numerous generic manufacturers produce azathioprine tablets that contain the identical active ingredient. Generic versions are typically less expensive but must meet the same quality standards.

• Does Imuran require cold storage?
  No. Imuran tablets should be stored at controlled room temperature (15 °C–30 °C), protected from light, moisture and direct heat. Refrigeration is unnecessary and may cause condensation on the tablets.

• What packaging does Imuran come in when ordered online?
  Tablets are supplied in sealed, tamper‑evident blister packs or high‑density polyethylene bottles, each clearly labelled with strength, batch number and expiry date. Our online pharmacy adds an outer privacy sleeve for discretion.

• Can Imuran be safely imported into Hong Kong for personal use?
  Personal import of a three‑month supply of a prescription‑only medication is permitted under Hong Kong’s “Personal Use Import Permit” scheme, provided the buyer holds a valid prescription from a Hong Kong‑registered practitioner. Our service assists with the required documentation.

• Are there manufacturer warnings to Asian populations?
  Studies indicate a higher prevalence of thiopurine‑methyltransferase (TPMT) deficiency among East Asian individuals, which can increase the risk of myelosuppression. Clinicians often perform TPMT genotyping or phenotyping before initiating azathioprine in this population.

• Does Imuran have formulation differences between the US, EU and Asian markets?
  The core active ingredient (azathioprine) is identical worldwide, but excipients such as lactose, magnesium stearate or corn starch may vary. Patients with specific excipient allergies should review the complete ingredient list provided by the manufacturer.

• How long does it take for Imuran to reduce disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis?
  Clinical trials show measurable improvement in joint counts and patient‑reported pain within 8–12 weeks, though full therapeutic effect may require up to 6 months of continuous therapy.

• What is the role of TPMT testing before starting Imuran?
  TPMT (thiopurine S‑methyltransferase) activity influences azathioprine metabolism. Low or absent TPMT activity predicts severe bone‑marrow toxicity at standard doses. Testing allows dose reduction or selection of an alternative agent.

• Can I travel overseas with Imuran tablets?
  Yes, but carry the medication in its original labelled container, accompanied by a copy of the prescribing doctor’s note and, if applicable, a copy of the personal‑use import permit. Some countries require additional declaration for immunosuppressants.

• Is there a difference in efficacy between azathioprine and mycophenolate for IBD?
  Both agents are effective, but head‑to‑head trials suggest comparable remission rates with azathioprine but a slightly higher safety profile for mycophenolate regarding leukopenia. Choice depends on individual tolerance, comorbidities and physician preference.

• What should I do if I develop a fever while taking Imuran?
  Fever may signal infection or drug‑induced bone‑marrow suppression. Check the CBC promptly; if neutrophil count is low (< 1.5 × 10⁹/L) or the fever persists > 48 hours, seek urgent medical evaluation.

• Does Imuran interact with herbal supplements such as St. John’s wort?
  St. John’s wort induces hepatic enzymes (CYP3A4) that can modestly increase azathioprine clearance, potentially lowering its efficacy. Discuss any herbal or complementary products with your healthcare provider before use.

Glossary

Immunosuppressant

A class of drugs that dampen the activity of the immune system, used to treat autoimmune diseases or prevent organ‑rejection.

Thiopurine S‑methyltransferase (TPMT)

An enzyme that metabolises azathioprine; genetic deficiency increases risk of bone‑marrow toxicity.

Bone‑marrow suppression

A decrease in the production of blood cells (red cells, white cells, platelets) leading to anemia, infection risk, or bleeding tendency.

Live vaccine

A vaccination containing weakened but replicating pathogens; contraindicated in patients with significant immunosuppression.

⚠️ Disclaimer

The information provided about Imuran is for general knowledge only. It does not replace professional medical consultation. All treatment decisions should be made under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider. We assume all readers are responsible adults capable of making informed decisions about their health. Our online pharmacy offers access to Imuran for individuals who may have limited availability through traditional pharmacies, prescription‑based insurance schemes, or who are seeking affordable generic alternatives. Always consult your doctor before starting, changing, or discontinuing any medication.