| Item |
Information |
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Drug Groups
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approved; investigational |
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Description
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A radiation-protective agent that oxidizes in air to form cystamine. It can be given intravenously or orally to treat radiation sickness. The bitartrate has been used for the oral treatment of nephropathic cystinosis. [PubChem] |
| Indication |
Given intravenously or orally to treat radiation sickness. The bitartrate has been used for the oral treatment of nephropathic cystinosis and cystinurea. |
| Pharmacology |
People born without the ability to metabolize the amino acid cystine suffer from cystinosis, a rare inherited disorder characterized by the deposition and accumulation of cystine crystals throughout the body. These crystals cause considerable damage, particularly in the kidney. Kidney failure can occur by the age of 10 in untreated patients. Cysteamine prevents the accumulation of cystine crystals and is prescribed to prevent further kidney damage. Cysteamine helps to convert cystine into less harmful chemical forms that can be removed from cells. |
| Toxicity |
Symptoms of overdose may include convulsions (seizures), increased thirst and unusual tiredness or weakness. |
| Affected Organisms |
| • |
Humans and other mammals |
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| Distribution |
* 156 L |
| Clearance |
* apparent plasma cl=1.2 L/min |
| References |
| • |
Lukashin BP, Grebeniuk AN: [Comparative study of the radiation-protective effectiveness of low doses of cysteamine, heparin, and naphtizine in experiments on mice] Radiats Biol Radioecol. 2001 May-Jun;41(3):310-2.
[Pubmed]
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