Cystagon (Mercaptamine (Cysteamine) Bitartrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Cystagon Used For?
Cystagon contains mercaptamine (cysteamine) bitartrate and is specifically designed to treat a rare inherited condition called nephropathic cystinosis.
Primary Uses
Cystagon is used to manage nephropathic cystinosis in both children and adults. This rare inherited disorder causes cystine to build up in organs like the kidneys, leading to kidney damage and loss of important nutrients like glucose, proteins, and electrolytes.
How It Works
Mercaptamine works by reacting with cystine in your cells, which helps reduce the amount of cystine that builds up. This helps prevent further damage to your kidneys and other organs. The condition can be monitored by measuring cystine levels in white blood cells.
Good to know: Regular blood tests will help your doctor determine the right dose and monitor your progress with this treatment.
Continue Reading
Sign in to access the complete medication guide including dosage, side effects, warnings, and more.
How to Take Cystagon
Your doctor will determine the right dose based on your weight, and it's important to follow their instructions carefully.
Dosage Instructions
The starting dose for both children and adults is 200-300 mg/m²/day divided into four doses throughout the day. Over 4-6 weeks, your doctor will gradually increase this to a maintenance dose: for children up to 12 years, the target is 1.3 g/m²/day; for patients over 12 years and weighing 50 kg or more, the target is 2 g/day. Children under 6 should not swallow whole capsules due to choking risk – the capsule can be opened and contents sprinkled on food or mixed in formula. Take at the same times each day for best results.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it's less than 2 hours before your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as planned. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. This could be dangerous.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea
- drowsiness
- rash
- unpleasant breath odor
- fever
- feeling tired or fatigued
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- stomach pain with loss of appetite or vomiting blood
- seizures, depression, or excessive sleepiness
- low white blood cell count
- abnormal liver function
- headache, dizziness, double vision, blurry vision, loss of vision
- pain behind the eye or with eye movement
- skin lesions, bone lesions, or joint problems
- severe skin rash
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations before starting Cystagon treatment.
Who Should Not Take Cystagon
Do not take Cystagon if you are allergic to mercaptamine, penicillamine, or any other ingredients in the capsules. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of face/lips/tongue, or skin rash and hives.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: skin rash or bone problems, history of seizures, exhaustion, depression or nervous system problems, stomach or intestinal problems including ulcers or bleeding, or any blood disorders. Also mention any allergies to medicines, foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits with you.
Children Safety: Take special precautions with children to prevent the medicine from entering their airways or lungs, especially those at risk.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with how Cystagon works, so it's important to tell your doctor about all medicines you're taking.
Electrolyte supplements: You will still need electrolyte replacement supplements during Cystagon treatment – don't stop these without consulting your doctor.
- electrolyte replacement supplements (potassium and others are still needed during treatment)
- any prescription medications
- vitamins and supplements bought without prescription
Alcohol & Driving
Cystagon may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the prescribing information, but consult your doctor about alcohol use while taking this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful when driving or using machinery until you know how Cystagon affects you. This medicine may cause drowsiness or tiredness. Children should be careful when riding bicycles or climbing trees. If you feel light-headed, dizzy, or faint when standing up, get up slowly.
Storage
Store Cystagon capsules below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep capsules in their original bottle until it's time to take them. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think you or someone else has taken too much Cystagon, seek immediate medical attention. Call the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately, even if there are no symptoms. Overdose symptoms may include vomiting, dehydration, tiredness, drowsiness, lack of energy, or heart problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your doctor will gradually increase your dose over 4-6 weeks to reach the right maintenance level. Regular blood tests will monitor cystine levels in your white blood cells to determine if the treatment is working effectively.
For children who cannot swallow capsules whole, the capsule can be opened and contents sprinkled on food or mixed in formula. Ask your doctor for specific instructions about taking with food.
Do not stop taking Cystagon or change the dose without checking with your doctor first. This medication needs to be taken continuously to manage nephropathic cystinosis effectively.
If it's less than 2 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Regular blood tests measure cystine levels in your white blood cells to ensure you're getting the right dose. Tests also monitor for serious side effects like low white blood cell count and abnormal liver function.
Yes, Cystagon is used in both children and adults. However, children under 6 years should not swallow whole capsules due to choking risk – the capsule can be opened and mixed with food or formula instead.
Yes, you will still need electrolyte replacement supplements (like potassium) during Cystagon treatment. Take these exactly as instructed by your doctor – they are essential for managing nephropathic cystinosis.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.