Medical Uses
Cystagon (cysteamine bitartrate) is an oral cystine-depleting agent indicated for the management of nephropathic cystinosis in adults and children — a genetic disorder in which cystine accumulates in cells (especially the kidneys) and forms damaging crystals, leading to Fanconi syndrome and progressive kidney failure if untreated.
Cysteamine reacts with cystine inside lysosomes to form a compound the body can transport out of the cell, depleting the abnormal cystine buildup that damages the kidneys and other organs in cystinosis.
