About CYSTARAN®
About CYSTARAN®
About
CYSTARAN®
Indication
CYSTARAN® (CYSTEAMINE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION) 0.44% is a cystine-depleting agent indicated for the treatment of corneal cystine crystal accumulation in patients with cystinosis.
Mechanism of Action
Cysteamine, the active ingredient in CYSTARAN, is an aminothiol that depletes lysosomal cystine, preventing buildup of cystine crystals in bodily tissues.1,2
Cystinotic Lysosome

Cystinotic Lysosome Treated
with Cysteamine

- Within lysosomes, cysteamine interacts with cystine to form cysteine and cysteine–cysteamine mixed disulfide1,2
- These substances can pass through the lysosomal membrane and be eliminated from the cell1,2
Storing CYSTARAN
Before Opening CYSTARAN
- Patients should be advised to store unopened bottles in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in the original carton and foil wrapping.
Opening CYSTARAN
- Patients should be advised to open the carton and the foil only when starting a new bottle. The patient should record the discard date on the bottle, which is one week from the day the foil and bottle were opened.
After Opening CYSTARAN
- During the week of use, patients should be advised to store the bottle at room temperature, 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Patients should be advised to discard the bottle one week after the foil and bottle were opened, even if there is medication left inside.

Administration of CYSTARAN
- CYSTARAN is supplied in a 15-mL bottle of sterile ophthalmic solution. Each mL contains 6.5 mg cysteamine hydrochloride equivalent to 4.4 mg of cysteamine (0.44%)
- Instill one drop of CYSTARAN in each eye, every waking hour
- Do not touch dropper tip to any surface, as this may contaminate the solution
- Discard after 1 week of use
- There may be medication left in the bottle; however, the bottle must be discarded by the patient because the medication is only stable for 1 week
CYSTARAN is ONLY available from Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy.
Healthcare providers, please click here to access the CYSTARAN prescription and enrollment form.
Your patient’s medication will be shipped directly to their home.
Call 1-877-534-9627 for assistance
Friendly associates exclusive to CYSTARAN will be happy to assist you or your patients Mon–Fri, 8AM–8PM EST.
Call 1-877-534-9627 for assistance
Friendly associates exclusive to CYSTARAN will be happy to assist you or your patients Mon–Fri, 8AM–7PM EST.
Warnings and Precautions
Contamination of Tip and Solution
To minimize contaminating the dropper tip and solution, care should be taken not to touch the eyelids or surrounding areas with the dropper tip of the bottle. Keep bottle tightly closed when not in use1
Benign Intracranial Hypertension
There have been reports of benign intracranial hypertension (or pseudotumor cerebri) associated with oral cysteamine treatment that has resolved with the addition of diuretic therapy. There have also been reports associated with ophthalmic use of cysteamine; however, all of these patients were on concurrent oral cysteamine1
Use with Contact Lenses
CYSTARAN contains benzalkonium chloride, which may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed prior to application of solution and may be reinserted 15 minutes following its administration1
CYSTARAN is for topical ophthalmic use only.
References: 1. CYSTARAN [prescribing information]. Gaithersburg, MD: Leadiant Biosciences, Inc.; Current approved PI. 2. Gahl WA, Balog JZ, Kleta R. Nephropathic Cystinosis in Adults: Natural History and Effects of Oral Cysteamine Therapy. Ann Intern Med. 2007;147:242-250.
INDICATION & IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
CYSTARAN® (CYSTEAMINE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION) 0.44% is a cystine-depleting agent indicated for the treatment of corneal cystine crystal accumulation in patients with cystinosis.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
- To minimize contaminating the dropper tip and solution, care should be taken not to touch the eyelids or surrounding areas with the dropper tip of the bottle. Keep bottle tightly closed when not in use.
- There have been reports of benign intracranial hypertension (or pseudotumor cerebri) associated with oral cysteamine treatment that has resolved with the addition of diuretic therapy. There have also been reports associated with ophthalmic use of cysteamine; however, all of these patients were on concurrent oral cysteamine.
- CYSTARAN contains benzalkonium chloride, which may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed prior to application of solution and may be reinserted 15 minutes following its administration.
- CYSTARAN is for topical ophthalmic use only.
- The most frequently reported ocular adverse reactions occurring in ≥ 10% of patients were sensitivity to light, redness, and eye pain/irritation, headache and visual field defects.
Please refer to CYSTARAN’s full Prescribing Information, available here.



