pharmacopeia

Cysteine

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Mechanism of action

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Endogenous cysteine is synthesized from methionine by the enzyme, cystathionase, via the trans-sulfuration pathway, and serves as a precursor substrate for both glutathione and taurine. ELCYS ® provides cysteine to the systemic circulation of patients who require PN and cannot synthesize adequate quantities of cysteine due to insufficient or deficient cystathionase activity.

Indications

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  • ELCYS ® is indicated for use as an additive to amino acid solutions to meet the nutritional requirements of newborn infants requiring total parenteral nutrition (TPN); and of adult and pediatric patients with severe liver disease who may have impaired enzymatic processes and require TPN. It can also be added to amino acid solutions to provide a more complete profile of amino acids for protein synthesis.

Contraindications

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  • ELCYS ® is contraindicated in: • Patients with known hypersensitivity to one or more amino acids. • Patients with inborn errors of amino acid metabolism due to risk of severe metabolic or neurologic complications.contraindicated

Dosage & administration

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• ELCYS ® is for admixing use only. Not for direct intravenous infusion . ( 2.1 ) • PHARMACY BULK PACKAGE: Dispense single-doses to many patients in a pharmacy admixture program. Use within 4 hours of puncture. ( 2.1 ) • See full prescribing information for information on preparation, administration, instructions for use, dosing considerations, including the recommended dosage in pediatric patients and adults. ( 2.1 , 2.2 , 2.3 , 2.4 , 2.5 ) 2.1 Important Administration Information Prior to administration, ELCYS® must be diluted and used as an admixture in PN solutions. ELCYS® is not for direct intravenous infusion. The resulting solution is for intravenous infusion into a central or peripheral vein. The choice of a central or peripheral venous route should depend on the osmolarity of the final infusate. Solutions with osmolarity of 900 mOsm/L or greater must be infused through a central catheter [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . ELCYS ® is supplied as a pharmacy bulk package, and consists of one pharmacy bulk vial which must be diluted prior to intravenous administration [see Dosage andAdministration ( 2.3 )]. As a pharmacy bulk vial, ELCYS ® is intended for dispensing of single doses to many patients. Dispensing from a pharmacy bulk vial should be completed within 4 hours after the vial is penetrated. Do not administer ELCYS ® as a direct, undiluted intravenous injection. 2.2 Preparation and Administration Instructions Prior to administration, ELCYS® must be diluted and used as an admixture in PN solutions. ELCYS® is not for direct intravenous infusion.

Warnings & precautions

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• Pulmonary Embolism due to Pulmonary Vascular Precipitates: If signs of pulmonary distress occur, stop the infusion and initiate a medical evaluation. ( 5.1 ) • Vein Damage and Thrombosis: Solutions with osmolarity of 900 mOsm/L or more must be infused through a central catheter. ( 2.1 , 5.2 ) • Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN): Monitor laboratory parameters and discontinue if exceeds normal postprandial limits and continues to increase. ( 5.3 ) • Acid-Base Imbalance: Monitor laboratory parameters and supplement with electrolytes as needed. ( 5.4 ) • Hepatobiliary Disorders: Monitor liver function parameters and ammonia levels. ( 5.5 ) • Hyperammonemia: Neurocognitive delay possible in infants; monitor blood ammonia levels. ( 5.6 , 8.4 ) • Aluminium Toxicity: Increased risk in patients with renal impairment, including preterm infants. ( 5.7 , 8.4 ) • Monitoring and Laboratory Tests: Monitor fluid and electrolytes, serum osmolarity, blood glucose, kidney and liver function, blood count and coagulation parameters throughout treatment. ( 5.8 ) 5.1 Pulmonary Embolism due to Pulmonary Vascular Precipitates Pulmonary vascular precipitates causing pulmonary vascular emboli and pulmonary distress have been reported in patients receiving PN. In some fatal cases, pulmonary embolism occurred as a result of calcium phosphate precipitates. Precipitation following passage through an in-line filter and suspected in vivo precipitate formation has also been reported. If signs of pulmonary distress occur, stop the PN infusion and initiate a medical evaluation.

Adverse reactions

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The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the prescribing information: • Pulmonary embolism due to pulmonary vascular precipitates [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Vein damage and thrombosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Increased BUN [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Acid-base imbalance [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Hepatobiliary disorders [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] • Hyperammonemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] • Aluminum toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Adverse reactions with the use of cysteine hydrochloride injection were identified in clinical studies or postmarketing reports. Because some of these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. • Local infusion site reactions, including a warm sensation, erythema, phlebitis and thrombosis at the infusion site • Generalized flushing, fever and nausea Most common adverse reactions are local reactions (warm sensation, erythema, phlebitis and thrombosis at the infusion site), generalized flushing, fever and nausea ( 6 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Use in specific populations

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8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Appropriate administration of ELCYS ® is not expected to cause major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with cysteine hydrochloride. The estimated background risk for major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defect and miscarriage in the clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Data available on the effects of cysteine hydrochloride on infants, either directly or through breastmilk, do not suggest a significant risk of adverse events from exposure. Although there are no data on the presence of cysteine hydrochloride in human or animal milk or the effects on milk production, appropriate administration of ELCYS ® is not expected to cause harm to a breastfed infant. The development and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ELCYS ® and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from ELCYS ® or from the underlying maternal condition.

Overdosage

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In the event of over hydration or solute overload, re-evaluate the patient and institute appropriate corrective measures [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 , 5.4 , 5.5 , 5.7 , 5.8 )] .

Approval history

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  • Jul 20, 1984NDANDA019018B Braun
  • Jun 19, 2003ANDAANDA075880Baxter Hlthcare
  • Apr 16, 2019NDANDA210660Exela Pharma
  • Dec 13, 2019NDANDA212535Baxter Hlthcare Corp

FAERS reports

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Reference statistics only. FAERS reports are voluntarily submitted and are not incidence rates, safety signals, or causal evidence. Counts reflect reporting volume — how often a reaction was reported, not how often it occurs. For decision-grade use, consult openFDA and the FAERS Public Dashboard directly.
140 total reports matchedLatest report Share = reports listing the reaction ÷ total matched reports. Rows can sum to >100% because a single report often lists multiple reactions.
  1. 1Parenteral Nutrition Associated Liver Disease5036%
  2. 2Condition Aggravated117.9%
  3. 3Cholestasis96.4%
  4. 4Liver Function Test Abnormal96.4%
  5. 5Hallucination75.0%
  6. 6Malaise64.3%
  7. 7Pyrexia64.3%
  8. 8Dizziness53.6%
  9. 9Fatigue53.6%
  10. 10Hypokalaemia53.6%
  11. 11Nausea53.6%
  12. 12Pneumonia53.6%
  13. 13Asthenia42.9%
  14. 14Bacterial Infection42.9%
  15. 15Blood Bilirubin Increased42.9%

Literature

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Recent PubMed references pinned to Cysteine as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Clinical trials

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The 10 most recently updated of 725 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Cysteine as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

Frequently asked questions

How does Cysteine work?
Endogenous cysteine is synthesized from methionine by the enzyme, cystathionase, via the trans-sulfuration pathway, and serves as a precursor substrate for both glutathione and taurine. ELCYS ® provides cysteine to the systemic circulation of patients who require PN and cannot synthesize adequate quantities of cysteine due to insufficient or deficient cystathionase activity.
What is Cysteine used for?
According to FDA labeling, Cysteine carries indications including: ELCYS ® is indicated for use as an additive to amino acid solutions to meet the nutritional requirements of newborn infants requiring total parenteral nutrition (TPN); and of adult and pediatric patients with severe liver disease who may have impaired enzymatic processes and require TPN. It can also be added to amino acid solutions to provide a more complete profile of amino acids for protein synthesis.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
What are the brand names for Cysteine?
Cysteine is marketed under brand names including Elcys, Freamine III 10, Hepatamine 8, Nouress, PremaSol, ProcalAmine 3, Trophamine 10 %, Trophamine 6 %.
What are the contraindications for Cysteine?
Cysteine labeling lists contraindications including: ELCYS ® is contraindicated in: • Patients with known hypersensitivity to one or more amino acids. • Patients with inborn errors of amino acid metabolism due to risk of severe metabolic or neurologic complications.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
Note. Data for cysteine is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

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