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What is CYSTARAN®?

boy in forest looking at camera

What is CYSTARAN®?

boy in forest looking at camera

What is
CYSTARAN®?

What is CYSTARAN?

CYSTARAN is an eyedrop medication intended to treat the buildup of cystine crystals in the corneas of adults and children who have cystinosis. It was approved by the FDA in 2012 as an orphan drug.

the letters f y and then eye that blinks
An orphan drug is a medication that treats a rare condition affecting under 200,000 people in the United States. Learn more.

CYSTARAN is a topical medication, which means that you put it directly on the affected area—in this case, the eyes. That’s different from an oral medication, which you take by mouth. If you have cystinosis, you may be prescribed both an oral and a topical medication.

How does CYSTARAN work?

Cysteamine, the active ingredient in CYSTARAN, works to help decrease the accumulation of cystine crystals in the body’s tissues.

Cysteamine binds to and changes cystine. The bound substance can be removed from the lysosomes of the body’s cells without a need for cystinosin and is not harmful to the eye.

Lysosome Affected by Cystinosis

Lysosome Affected by Cystinosis
After Taking Cysteamine

animation of eye crystal accumulation cystinosis
how cystaran works to treat eye cystinosis

The use of CYSTARAN has been demonstrated to be effective at reducing corneal crystals.

How does CYSTARAN work?

Cysteamine, the active ingredient in CYSTARAN, works to help decrease the accumulation of cystine crystals in the body’s tissues.

Cysteamine binds to and changes cystine. The bound substance can be removed from the lysosomes of the body’s cells without a need for cystinosin and is not harmful to the eye.

Lysosome Affected by Cystinosis

animation of eye crystal accumulation cystinosis

Lysosome Affected by Cystinosis After Taking Cysteamine

how cystaran works to treat eye cystinosis

The use of CYSTARAN has been demonstrated to be effective at reducing corneal crystals.

See examples of Treatment with CYSTARAN*

eye cystinosis patients' corneas before and after treatment
eye cystinosis patients' corneas before and after treatment
eye cystinosis patients' corneas before and after treatment

*Corneal slit-lamp photographs of patients treated with CYSTARAN. These examples represent patients who responded to treatment and in subsequent follow up appointments. Duration of therapy varied from 8-41 months. Response may vary from patient to patient.

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How do I store and take CYSTARAN?

How to Store CYSTARAN

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How do I store and take CYSTARAN?

How to Store CYSTARAN

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Store bottles in the freezer in the original carton.

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Each week, remove one new bottle from the freezer.

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Allow the bottle to thaw completely (approximately 24 hours) prior to use.

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After the bottle is completely thawed, record the discard date on the bottle label. The discard date is seven (7) days from the day the bottle is thawed.

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Store the thawed bottle at no greater than room temperature for up to 1 week. No refrigeration required after thawing. Do not refreeze the bottle.

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Remember to discard the bottle at the end of 1 week (7 days). There may be medication left in the bottle; however, you must discard it because the medication is only stable for 1 week after thawing.

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