Cysteine Hydrochloride (3 brand names, 2 dosage forms, 2 routes)
Available dosage forms: SOLUTION, INJECTABLE.
Routes of administration: INTRAVENOUS, INJECTION.
Brand Names
- CYSTEINE HYDROCHLORIDE
- ELCYS
- NOURESS
Boxed Warning
Pharmacy Bulk Package Not for Direct Infusion
Indications and Usage
PREMASOL 10% injection is indicated for the nutritional support of infants (including those of low birth weight) and young children requiring TPN via either central or peripheral infusion routes. Parenteral nutrition with PREMASOL 10% injection is indicated to prevent nitrogen and weight loss or treat negative nitrogen balance in infants and young children where: (1) the alimentary tract, by the oral, gastrostomy, or jejunostomy route, cannot or should not be used, or adequate protein intake is not feasible by these routes; (2) gastrointestinal absorption of protein is impaired; or (3) protein requirements are substantially increased as with extensive burns. Dosage, route of administration, and concomitant infusion of non-protein calories are dependent on various factors, such as nutritional and metabolic status of the patient, anticipated duration of parenteral nutritional support, and vein tolerance (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Dosage and Administration
The objective of nutritional management of infants and young children is the provision of sufficient amino acid and caloric support for protein synthesis and growth. The total daily dose of PREMASOL 10% injection depends on daily protein requirements and on the patient’s metabolic and clinical response. The determination of nitrogen balance and accurate daily body weights, corrected for fluid balance, are probably the best means of assessing individual protein requirements. Dosage should also be guided by the patient’s fluid intake limits and glucose and nitrogen tolerances, as well as by metabolic and clinical response. Recommendations for allowances of protein in infant nutrition have ranged from 2 to 4 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day (2.0 to 4.0 g/kg/day) Suskind RM: Textbook of Pediatric Nutrition, Raven Press, New York, 1981. . The recommended dosage of PREMASOL 10% injection is 2.0 to 2.5 grams of amino acids per kilogram of body weight per day (2.0 to 2.5 g/kg/day) for infants up to 10 kilograms. For infants and young children larger than 10 kilograms, the total dosage of amino acids should include the 20 to 25 grams/day for the first 10 kg of body weight plus 1.0 to 1.25 g/day for each kg of body weight over 10 kilograms. Typically, PREMASOL 10% injection is admixed with 50% or 70% Dextrose Injection USP supplemented with electrolytes and vitamins and administered continuously over a 24 hour period. Total daily fluid intake should be appropriate for the patient’s age and size. A fluid dose of 125 mL per kilogram body weight per day is appropriate for most infants on TPN. Although nitrogen requirements may be higher in severely hypercatabolic or depleted patients, provision of additional nitrogen may not be possible due to fluid intake limits, nitrogen, or glucose intolerance. Cysteine is considered to be an essential amino acid in infants and young children. An admixture of cysteine hydrochloride to the TPN solution is therefore recommen
Contraindications
PREMASOL 10% injection is contraindicated in patients with untreated anuria, hepatic coma, inborn errors of amino acid metabolism, including those involving branched chain amino acid metabolism such as maple syrup urine disease and isovaleric acidemia, or hypersensitivity to one or more amino acids present in the solution.
Adverse Reactions
See WARNINGS and Special Precautions for Central Venous Nutrition. Reactions reported in clinical studies as a result of infusion of the parenteral fluid were water weight gain, edema, increase in BUN, and mild acidosis. Reactions which may occur because of the solution or the technique of administration include febrile response, infection at the site of injection, venous thrombosis or phlebitis extending from the site of injection, extravasation, and hypervolemia. Local reaction at the infusion site, consisting of a warm sensation, erythema, phlebitis and thrombosis, have been reported with peripheral amino acid infusions, especially if other substances are also administered through the same site. If electrolyte supplementation is required during peripheral infusion, it is recommended that additives be administered throughout the day in order to avoid possible venous irritation. Irritating additive medications may require injection at another site and should not be added directly to the amino acid infusate. Symptoms may result from an excess or deficit of one or more of the ions present in the solution; therefore, frequent monitoring of electrolyte levels is essential. Phosphorus deficiency may lead to impaired tissue oxygenation and acute hemolytic anemia. Relative to calcium, excessive phosphorus intake can precipitate hypocalcemia with cramps, tetany and muscular hyperexcitability. If an adverse reaction does occur, discontinue the infusion, evaluate the patient, institute appropriate therapeutic countermeasures, and save the remainder of the fluid for examination if deemed necessary.
Overdosage
In the event of a fluid or solute overload during parenteral therapy, reevaluate the patient’s condition, and institute appropriate corrective treatment.