Cysteine is a medicine sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
From the FDA label for Elcys (application NDA210660). Other cysteine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
ELCYS ® is for admixing use only. Not for direct intravenous infusion . ( 2.1 ) • PHARMACY BULK PACKAGE: Dispense single-doses to many patients in a pharmacy admixture program. Use within 4 hours of puncture. ( 2.1 ) • See full prescribing information for information on preparation, administration, instructions for use, dosing considerations, including the recommended dosage in pediatric patients and adults. ( 2.1 , 2.2 , 2.3 , 2.4 , 2.5 ) 2.1 Important Administration Information Prior to administration, ELCYS® must be diluted and used as an admixture in PN solutions. ELCYS® is not for direct intravenous infusion. The resulting solution is for intravenous infusion into a central or peripheral vein. The choice of a central or peripheral venous route should depend on the osmolarity of the final infusate. Solutions with osmolarity of 900 mOsm/L or greater must be infused through a central catheter [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . ELCYS ® is supplied as a pharmacy bulk package, and consists of one pharmacy bulk vial which must be diluted prior to intravenous administration [see Dosage andAdministration ( 2.3 )]. As a pharmacy bulk vial, ELCYS ® is intended for dispensing of single doses to many patients. Dispensing from a pharmacy bulk vial should be completed within 4 hours after the vial is penetrated. Do not administer ELCYS ® as a direct,…
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the prescribing information: • Pulmonary embolism due to pulmonary vascular precipitates [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Vein damage and thrombosis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Increased BUN [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Acid-base imbalance [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Hepatobiliary disorders [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] • Hyperammonemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] • Aluminum toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Adverse reactions with the use of cysteine hydrochloride injection were identified in clinical studies or postmarketing reports. Because some of these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. • Local infusion site reactions, including a warm sensation, erythema, phlebitis and thrombosis at the infusion site • Generalized flushing, fever and nausea Most common adverse reactions are local reactions (warm sensation, erythema, phlebitis and thrombosis at the infusion site), generalized flushing, fever and nausea ( 6 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Typical price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | — | — | View → | |
| 2 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Injectable | — | — | View → |
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
| Imprint | Strength | Colour | Shape | Maker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENL | 2.5 mg / 1 mg / 7 mg / 13.6 mg / 6.4 mg / 800 ug / 12 mg / 25 ug / 25 ug / 25 ug / 50 ug / 25 ug / 24 mg / 1 mg / 1 mg / 500 ug / 1.83 mg / 3.67 mg | brown | oval | — |
| ENL | 5.23 mg / 2.5 mg / 1 mg / 13.6 mg / 24 mg / 1 mg / 25 ug / 25 ug / 25 ug / 25 ug / 50 ug / 500 ug / 1 mg / 6.4 mg / 800 ug / 12 mg | brown | capsule | — |
A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.
From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
ELCYS ® is contraindicated in: • Patients with known hypersensitivity to one or more amino acids. • Patients with inborn errors of amino acid metabolism due to risk of severe metabolic or neurologic complications. • Patients with pulmonary edema or acidosis due to low cardiac output. • Hypersensitivity to one or more amino acids ( 4 ) • Inborn errors of amino acid metabolism ( 4 ) • Pulmonary edema or acidosis due to low cardiac output ( 4 )