Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | News | Products | Other

Print options:

Other options:

Mercaptamine

Post your experience

Mercaptamine will be started by a specialist.
You should not take mercaptamine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Mercaptamine should not be taken if you have ever had an allergy to penicillamine.
You will have regular blood tests while on this medicine.

About mercaptamine

Type of medicine	Drug used in metabolic disorders
Used for	Nephropathic cystinosis (an inherited condition causing tissue and organ damage)
Also called	Cystagon®
Available as	Capsules

In nephropathic cystinosis, an amino acid called cystine builds up in organs in the body causing damage to these organs. Mercaptamine works by reducing the build-up of cystine in the body.

Before taking mercaptamine

Before taking mercaptamine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
If you have had an allergic reaction to this medicine or the drug penicillamine.
If you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.

How to take mercaptamine

Generally, you will start on a low dose which will be increased over 4 to 6 weeks.
It is usual for four doses to be taken daily. Take your doses with or after meals.
For children under 6 years old the capsules should be opened and the contents sprinkled on food. Avoid adding to acidic drinks such as orange juice.
Treatment will normally be started by a hospital consultant.

Getting the most from your treatment

Keep your regular appointments with your doctor.
You will have regular blood tests to make sure the dose you are taking is correct.

Can mercaptamine cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine	What can I do if I experience this
Feeling or being sick, indigestion	Drink plenty of liquid. Stick to simple foods
Diarrhoea	Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids
Drowsiness	Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert. Avoid alcohol; it will increase any feelings of drowsiness
Breath/body odour	Use of mints/deodorants may help in the short term
Headache	Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain-killer. If the headache continues, speak with your doctor
Skin rash, loss of weight, fever and tiredness	If any of these are troublesome, speak to your doctor

Important: If you develop difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, mouth or throat, then contact a doctor straight away or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store mercaptamine

Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

British National Formulary; 56th Edition (September 2008) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.

Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk

DocID: 1076

DocRef: dils3797

Last Reviewed: 12 May 2009

Version: 24

This organsition has been certified as a producer of reliable health and social care information.

Click the image to find out more.

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | News | Products | Other

Print options:

Other options:

Advert

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Related pages in Patient UK

Your Experience (^ top of page)

Please add your experience about this condition / medicine

Patient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)

Latest Health News

View current health news

Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)

Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.
Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Information Leaflets which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Support Groups which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Medicines & Drugs which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of diagrams which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of PatientPlus (detailed reference) articles which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of UK Guidelines which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of other selected websites which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Poems and Stories which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Operations and Procedures which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Online Videos which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links through to our interactive forum.
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to news stories on this subject in our Online Newspaper

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to related products

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to other useful sources of information

Click here to open a printer-friendly version of this document, in a new window, together with the print dialogue box

Click here to open this document in PDF format
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document

Click here to listen to the MP3 audio recording of this document

Click here to download the audio recording of this document as a podcast, for listening to at your leisure

Click here to open our Dictionaries and Glossaries page

Click here to see related products in our Online Pharmacy
Note: this will open in a new window

Click here to add this page to a social bookmarking site of your choice

Click here if you want to find out more about social bookmarking. This link will take you to the Wikipedia explanation
Note: this will open in a new window