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ELCYS (cysteine hydrochloride injection) is a sterile, nonpyrogenic solution for intravenous use. Each 10 mL of ELCYS contains 500 mg of cysteine hydrochloride, USP (equivalent to 345 mg of cysteine) in water for injection. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid are used as needed to adjust the pH. The pH range is 1.0 to 2.5.
The active ingredient is cysteine hydrochloride. Cysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid. The chemical name of cysteine hydrochloride is L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate and is chemically designated as C3H7NO2S • HCI • H2O having a molecular weight of 175.63. Cysteine hydrochloride is a white crystalline powder soluble in water. Cysteine aqueous solution is prone to oxidation when exposed to air, and when mixed with amino acids solutions, cysteine may convert to insoluble cystine which leads to precipitation over time. It has the following structural formula:
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ELCYS contains no more than 120 mcg/L of aluminum.
ELCYS® is indicated for use as an additive to amino acid solutions to meet the nutritional requirements of newborn infants requiring total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and of adult and pediatric patients with severe liver disease who may have impaired enzymatic processes and require TPN. It can also be added to amino acid solutions to provide a more complete profile of amino acids for protein synthesis.
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].
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 AND ADMINISTRATION]. 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, undiluted intravenous injection.
The recommended dosage and volume of ELCYS® is shown in Table 1 and is based upon the recommended daily protein (amino acids) requirement. For pediatric patients from birth to less than 12 years of age, the recommended dosage of ELCYS® is 22 mg/gram of amino acids. For adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older, the recommended dosage of ELCYS® is 7 mg/gram of amino acids.
Table 1: Recommended Daily Dosage of ELCYS® in Pediatric Patients and Adults
| Age | Recommended Proteina Requirement (g AA/kg/day)1 | Recommended Dosage (mg ELCYS/g AA) | Recommended Volume (mL ELCYS/g AA) |
| Preterm and term infants less than 1 month of age | 3 to 4 | 22 | 0.44 |
| Pediatric patients 1 month to less than 1 year of age | 2 to 3 | 22 | 0.44 |
| Pediatric patients 1 year to 11 years of age | 1 to 2 | 22 | 0.44 |
| Pediatric patients 12 years to 17 years of age | 0.8 to 1.5 | 7 | 0.14 |
| Adults: Stable Patients | 0.8 to 1 | 7 | 0.14 |
| Adults: Critically Ill Patientsb | 1.5 to 2 | 7 | 0.14 |
| AA = Amino Acid a Protein is provided as amino acids (AA). b Includes patients requiring more than 2 to 3 days in the intensive care unit with organ failure, sepsis or postoperative major surgery. Do not use in patients with conditions that are contraindicated [see CONTRAINDICATIONS] |
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ELCYS® contains 50 mg/mL of cysteine hydrochloride (equivalent to 34.5 mg/mL of cysteine). Therefore, the ELCYS® dosages in Table 1 provide:
ELCYS® is supplied as follows:
Pharmacy Bulk Package: 2,500 mg/50 mL (50 mg/mL) of cysteine hydrochloride, USP is a clear, colorless, sterile and nonpyrogenic solution in 50 mL vials packaged as 1 per carton (51754-1008-1), 25 cartons per case (NDC 51754-1008-4)
Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Avoid excessive heat. Protect from freezing. If accidentally frozen, discard the vial.
For storage of admixed solution see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.
Manufactured and Distributed by: Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC, Lenoir, NC 28645. Revised: Dec 2023
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the prescribing information:
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.
No Information provided
Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.
Pulmonary vascular precipitates causing pulmonary vascular emboli and pulmonary distress have been reported in patients receiving PN. In some fatal cases, pulmonary embolism occurred as a result of calcium phosphate precipitates. Precipitation following passage through an in-line filter and suspected in vivo precipitate formation has also been reported. If signs of pulmonary distress occur, stop the PN infusion and initiate a medical evaluation. In addition to inspection of the solution [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION], the infusion set and catheter should also periodically be checked for precipitates.
ELCYS® must be diluted and used as an admixture in PN solutions. It is not for direct intravenous infusion. Solutions with an osmolarity of 900 mOsm/L or greater must be infused through a central catheter [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. The infusion of hypertonic nutrient injections into a peripheral vein may result in vein irritation, vein damage, and/or thrombosis. The primary complication of peripheral access is venous thrombophlebitis, which manifests as pain, erythema, tenderness or a palpable cord. Remove the catheter as soon as possible, if thrombophlebitis develops.
Intravenous infusion of amino acids may induce a rise in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), especially in patients with impaired hepatic or renal function. Appropriate laboratory tests should be performed periodically and infusion discontinued if BUN levels exceed normal postprandial limits and continue to rise. It should be noted that a modest rise in BUN normally occurs as a result of increased protein intake. Administration of amino acid solutions in the presence of impaired renal function may augment an increasing BUN, as does any protein dietary component.
Administration of ELCYS® may result in metabolic acidosis in preterm infants.
Administration of amino acid solutions to a patient with hepatic impairment may result in serum amino acid imbalances, metabolic alkalosis, prerenal azotemia, hyperammonemia, stupor and coma.
Frequent clinical evaluation and laboratory determinations are necessary for proper monitoring of acid-base balance during parenteral nutrition therapy. Significant deviations from normal concentrations may require the use of additional electrolyte supplements.
Hepatobiliary disorders are known to develop in some patients without preexisting liver disease who receive PN, including cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, cholestasis, hepatic steatosis, fibrosis and cirrhosis, possibly leading to hepatic failure. The etiology of these disorders is thought to be multifactorial and may differ between patients.
Monitor liver function parameters and ammonia levels. Patients developing signs of hepatobiliary disorders should be assessed early by a clinician knowledgeable in liver diseases in order to identify possible causative and contributory factors, and possible therapeutic and prophylactic interventions.
Hyperammonemia is of special significance in infants, as it can result in neurocognitive delays. Therefore, it is essential that blood ammonia levels be measured frequently in infants.
Instances of asymptomatic hyperammonemia have been reported in patients without overt liver dysfunction. The mechanisms of this reaction are not clearly defined but may involve genetic defects and immature or subclinically impaired liver function [see CONTRAINDICATIONS, Use In Specific Populations].
ELCYS® contains aluminum that may be toxic.
Aluminum may reach toxic levels with prolonged parenteral administration in patients with renal impairment. Preterm infants are particularly at risk for aluminum toxicity because their kidneys are immature, and they require large amounts of calcium and phosphate solutions, which also contain aluminum.
Patients with renal impairment, including preterm infants, who receive greater than 4 to 5 mcg/kg/day of parenteral aluminum can accumulate aluminum to levels associated with central nervous system and bone toxicity. Tissue loading may occur at even lower rates of administration.
Exposure to aluminum from ELCYS® is not more than 0.21 mcg/kg/day when preterm and term infants less than 1 month of age are administered the recommended maximum dosage of ELCYS® (15 mg cysteine/g of amino acids and 4 g of amino acids/kg/day) [see Table 1, DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. When prescribing ELCYS® for use in PN containing other small volume parenteral products, the total daily patient exposure to aluminum from the admixture should be considered and maintained at no more than 5 mcg/kg/day [see Use In Specific Populations].
Monitor fluid and electrolyte status, serum osmolarity, blood glucose, liver and kidney function, blood count and coagulation parameters throughout treatment [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
Appropriate administration of ELCYS® is not expected to cause major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with cysteine hydrochloride.
The estimated background risk for major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defect and miscarriage in the clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.
Data available on the effects of cysteine hydrochloride on infants, either directly or through breastmilk, do not suggest a significant risk of adverse events from exposure. Although there are no data on the presence of cysteine hydrochloride in human or animal milk or the effects on milk production, appropriate administration of ELCYS® is not expected to cause harm to a breastfed infant. The development and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ELCYS® and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from ELCYS® or from the underlying maternal condition.
ELCYS® is approved for use in pediatric patients, from birth to 17 years of age, for use as an additive to amino acid solutions to meet the nutritional requirements of newborn infants, including preterm infants, requiring total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and pediatric patients with severe liver disease who may have impaired enzymatic processes and require TPN. The safety profile for ELCYS® use in pediatric patients includes risks of acid-base imbalance and hyperammonemia.
Acid-base imbalance, including metabolic acidosis, may occur with ELCYS® administration in preterm infants. Frequent clinical and laboratory assessments are necessary to monitor and manage fluid balance, electrolyte concentrations, and acid-base balance during parenteral nutrition therapy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Hyperammonemia is of special significance in infants (birth to two years of age). This reaction appears to be related to a deficiency of the urea cycle amino acids of genetic or product origin. It is essential that blood ammonia be measured frequently in infants [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Because of immature renal function, preterm infants receiving prolonged PN treatment with ELCYS® may be at higher risk of aluminum toxicity [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Clinical studies with ELCYS® have not been performed to determine whether patients aged 65 and over respond differently from younger patients.
Monitor patients with impaired renal function receiving PN solutions containing the recommended dosage of ELCYS® with frequent clinical evaluation and laboratory tests to assess renal function, including serum electrolytes and fluid balance [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Monitor patients with impaired liver function receiving PN solutions containing the recommended dosage of ELCYS® with frequent clinical evaluation and laboratory tests to assess liver function, such as bilirubin and liver function parameters [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
In the event of over hydration or solute overload, re-evaluate the patient and institute appropriate corrective measures [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
ELCYS® is contraindicated in:
Endogenous cysteine is synthesized from methionine by the enzyme, cystathionase, via the trans-sulfuration pathway, and serves as a precursor substrate for both glutathione and taurine. ELCYS® provides cysteine to the systemic circulation of patients who require PN and cannot synthesize adequate quantities of cysteine due to insufficient or deficient cystathionase activity.
REFERENCES
1. Ayers P. et al. A.S.P.E.N. Parenteral Nutrition Handbook, 2nd ed. 2014 pg. 123 and 124.
Inform patients, caregivers, or home healthcare providers of the following risks of ELCYS®:
