Cysteamine Bitartrate

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** An aminothiol salt used in the treatment of nephropathic cystinosis. Cysteamine bitartrate enters the cell and reacts with cystine producing cysteine and cysteine-cysteamine mixed disulfide compound, both of which, unlike cystine, can pass through the lysosomal membrane. This prevents the accumulation of cystine crystals in the lysosomes of patients with cystinosis, which can cause considerable damage and eventual destruction of the cells, particularly in the kidneys. (NCI05)

**Synonyms:** - CYSTEAMINE BITARTRATE - Cystagon - PROCYSBI