Tiopronin

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# Overview
Tiopronin is a renal-urologic agent that is FDA approved for the treatment of and prevention of cystine (kidney) stone formation in patients with severe homozygous cystinuria.   Common adverse reactions include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, impairment in taste and smell, rash and pruritis.

# Adult Indications and Dosage

## FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)
- THIOLA is indicated for the prevention of cystine (kidney) stone formation in patients with severe homozygous cystinuria with urinary cystine greater than 500 mg/day, who are resistant to treatment with conservative measures of high fluid intake, alkali and diet modification, or who have adverse reactions to d-penicillamine.
- Cystine stones typically occur in approximately 10,000 persons in the United States who are homozygous for cystinuria. These persons excrete abnormal amounts of cystine in urine of over 250 mg/g creatinine, as well as excessive amounts of other dibasic amino acids (lysine, arginine and ornithine). In addition, they show varying intestinal transport defects for these same amino acids. The stone formation is the result of poor aqueous solubility of cystine.
- Since there are no known inhibitors of the crystallization of cystine, the stone formation is determined primarily by the urinary supersaturation of cystine. Thus, cystine stones could theoretically form whenever urinary cystine concentration exceeds the solubility limit. Cystine solubility in urine is pH-dependent, and ranges from 170-300 mg/liter at pH 5, 190-400 mg/liter at pH 7 and 220-500 mg/liter at pH 7.5.
- The goal of therapy is to reduce urinary cystine concentration below its solubility limit. It may be accomplished by dietary means aimed at reducing cystine synthesis and by a high fluid intake in order to increase urine volume and thereby lower cystine concentration.
- Unfortunately, the above conservative measures alone may be ineffective in controlling cystine stone formation in some homozygous patients with severe cystinuria (urinary cystine exceeding 500 mg/day). In such patients, d-penicillamine has been used as an additional therapy. Like THIOLATM, dpenicillamine undergoes thiol-disulfide exchange with cystine, thereby lowering the amount of sparingly soluble cystine in urine.
- However, d-penicillamine treatment is frequently accompanied by adverse reactions, such as dermatologic complications, hypersensitivity reactions, hematologic abnormalities and renal disturbances. THIOLA may have a particular therapeutic role in such patients.

### Dosing Information
- It is recommended that a conservative treatment program should be attempted first. At least 3 liters of fluid (10-10 oz. glassfuls) should be provided, including two glasses with each meal and at bedtime. The patients should be expected to awake at night to urinate; they should drink two more glasses of fluids before returning to bed. Additional fluids should be consumed if there is excessive sweating or intestinal fluid loss. A minimum urine output of 2 liters/day on a consistent basis should be sought. A modest amount of alkali should be provided in order to maintain urinary pH at a high normal range (6.5-7.0). Potassium alkali are advantageous over sodium alkali, because they do not cause hypercalciuria and are less likely to cause the complication of calcium stones.
- Excessive alkali therapy is not advisable. When urinary pH increases above 7.0 with alkali therapy, the complication of calcium phosphate nephrolithiasis may ensue because of the enhanced urinary supersaturation of hydroxyapatite in an alkaline environment.
- In patients who continue to form cystine stones on the above conservative program, THIOLA may be added to the treatment program. THIOLA may also be substituted for d-penicillamine in patients who have developed toxicity to the latter drug. In both situations, the conservative treatment program should be continued.
- The dose of THIOLA should not be arbitrary but should be based on that amount required to reduce urinary cystine concentration to below its solubility limit (generally <250 mg/liter). The extent of the decline in cystine excretion is generally dependent on the THIOLA dosage.
- THIOLA may be begun at a dosage of 800 mg/day in adult patients with cystine stones. In a multiclinic trial, average dose of THIOLA was about 1000 mg/day. However, some patients require a smaller dose. In children, initial dosage may be based on 15 mg/kg/day. Urinary cystine should be measured at 1 month after THIOLA treatment, and every 3 months thereafter. THIOLA dosage should be readjusted depending on the urinary cystine value. Whenever possible, THIOLA should be given in divided doses 3 times/day at least one hour before or 2 hours after meals.
- In patients who had shown severe toxicity to d-penicillamine, THIOLA might be begun at a lower dosage.

## Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)

### Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Tiopronin in adult patients.

### NonGuideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label NonGuideline-Supported Use of Tiopronin in adult patients.

# Pediatric Indications and Dosage

## FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)
There is limited information regarding FDA-Labeled Use of Tiopronin in pediatric patients.

## Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)

### Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Tiopronin in pediatric patients.

### NonGuideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label NonGuideline-Supported Use of Tiopronin in pediatric patients.

# Contraindications
- The use of THIOLA during pregnancy is contraindicated, except in those with severe cystinuria where the anticipated benefit of inhibited stone formation clearly outweighs possible hazards of treatment (see PRECAUTIONS).
- THIOLA should not be begun again in patients with a prior history of developing agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia or thrombocytopenia on this medication.
- Mothers maintained on THIOLA treatment should not nurse their infants.

# Warnings
- Despite apparent lower toxicity of THIOLATM, THIOLA may potentially cause all the serious adverse reactions reported for d-penicillamine. Thus, although no death has been reported to result directly from THIOLA treatment, a fatal outcome from THIOLA is possible, as has been reported with d-penicillamine therapy from such complications as aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, Goodpastures syndrome or myasthenia gravis.
- Leukopenia of the granulocytic series may develop without eosinophilia. Thrombocytopenia may be immunologic in origin or occur on an idiosyncratic basis. The reduction in peripheral blood white count to less than 3500/cubic mm or in platelet count to below 100,000 cubic mm mandates cessation of therapy. Patients should be instructed to report promptly the occurrence of any symptom or sign of these hematological abnormalities, such as fever, sore throat, chills, bleeding or easy bruisability.
- Proteinuria, sometimes sufficiently severe to cause nephrotic syndrome, may develop from membranous glomerulopathy. A close observation of affected patients is mandatory.
- The following complications, though rare, have been reported during d-penicillamine therapy and could occur during THIOLA treatment. When there are abnormal urinary findings associated with hemoptysis and pulmonary infiltrates suggestive of Goodpastures syndrome, THIOLA treatment should be stopped. Appearance of myasthenic syndrome or myasthenia gravis requires cessation of treatment. When pemphigus-type reactions develop, THIOLA therapy should be stopped. Steroid treatment may be necessary.

### PRECAUTIONS
- Patients should be advised of the potential development of complications and to report promptly the occurrence of any symptom or sign of them.
- To help monitor potential complications, the following tests are recommended: peripheral blood counts, direct platelet count, hemoglobin, serum albumin, liver function tests, 24-hour urinary protein and routine urinalysis at 3- 6 month intervals during treatment. In order to assess effect on stone disease, urinary cystine analysis should be monitored frequently during the first 6 months when the optimum dose schedule is being determined, and at 6-month intervals thereafter. Abdominal roentogenogram (KUB) is advised on a yearly basis to monitor the size and appearance/disappearance of stone(s).

# Adverse Reactions

## Clinical Trials Experience
- Some patients may develop drug fever, usually during the first month of therapy. THIOLA treatment should be discontinued until the fever subsides. It may be reinstated at a small dose, with a gradual increase in dosage until the desired level is achieved.
- A generalized rash (erythematous, maculopapular or morbilliform) accompanied by pruritis may develop during the first few months of treatment. It may be controlled by antihistamine therapy, typically recedes when THIOLA treatment is discontinued, and seldom recurs when THIOLA treatment is restarted at a lower dosage. Less commonly, rash may appear late in the course of treatment (of more than 6 months). Located usually in the trunk, the late rash is associated with intense pruritis, recedes slowly after discontinuing treatment, and usually recurs upon resumption of treatment.
- A drug reaction simulating lupus erythematous, manifested by fever, arthralgia and lymphadenopathy may develop. It may be associated with a positive antinuclear antibody test, but not necessarily with nephropathy. It may require discontinuance of THIOLA treatment.
- A reduction in taste perception may develop. It is believed to be the result of chelation of trace metals by THIOLATM. Hypogeusia is often self-limiting.
- Unlike during d-penicillamine therapy, vitamin B6 deficiency is uncommonly associated with THIOLA treatment.
- Some patients may complain of wrinkling and friability of skin. This complication usually occurs after long-term treatment, and is believed to result from the effect of THIOLA on collagen.
- A multiclinic trial involving 66 cystinuric patients in the United States indicated that THIOLA is associated with fewer or less severe adverse reactions than d-penicillamine. Among those who had to stop taking d-penicillamine due to toxicity, 64.7% could take THIOLA . In those without prior history of d-penicillamine treatment, only 5.9% developed reactions of sufficient severity to require THIOLA withdrawal. A review of available literature supports the findings from this trial.
- Despite this apparent reduced toxicity to THIOLA relative to d-penicillamine, THIOLA treatment may potentially be associated with all the adverse reactions reported with d-penicillamine. They include:
- Nausea, emesis, diarrhea or soft stools, anorexia, abdominal pain, bloating or flatus) in about 1 in 6 patients, Impairment in taste and smell in about 1 in 25 patients,
- Increased bleeding, anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia) in about 1 in 25 patients;
- Myasthenic syndrome in about 1 in 50 patients.
- Bronchiolitis, hemoptysis, pulmonary infiltrates, dyspnea in about 1 in 50 patients
- Dermatologic complications (pharyngitis, oral ulcers, rash, ecchymosis, prurites, uritcaria, warts, skin wrinkling, pemphigus, elastosis perforans serpiginosa) in about 1 in 6 patients
- Hypersensitivity reactions (laryngeal edema, dyspnea, respiratory distress, fever, chills, arthralgia, weakness, fatigue, myalgia, adenopathy) in about 1 in 25 patients
- Proteinuria, nephrotic syndrome, hematuria) in about 1 in 20 patients.
- These reactions are more likely to develop during THIOLA therapy among patients who had previously shown toxicity to d-penicillamine.
- In patients who had previously manifested adverse reactions to d-penicillamine, adverse reactions to THIOLA are more likely to occur than in patients who took THIOLA for the first time. A close supervision with a careful monitoring of potential side effects is mandatory during THIOLA treatment. Patients should be told to report promptly any symptoms suggesting toxicity. The treatment with THIOLA should be stopped if severe toxicity develops.
- Jaundice and abnormal liver function tests have been reported during THIOLA therapy for non-cystinuric conditions. A direct cause and effect relationship, based upon these foreign reports, has not been established. Although such complications were not encountered in the small multi-center trials in the United States, patients should be carefully monitored and if any abnormalities are noted, the drug should be discontinued and the patient treated by appropriate measures.

## Postmarketing Experience
There is limited information regarding Postmarketing Experience of Tiopronin in the drug label.

# Drug Interactions
There is limited information regarding Drug Interactions of Tiopronin in the drug label.

# Use in Specific Populations

### Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category (FDA): C
- D-penicillamine has been shown to cause skeletal defects and cleft palates in the fetus when given to pregnant rats at 10 times the dose recommended for human use. A similar teratogenicity might be expected for THIOLA although no such findings could be related to the drug in studies in mice and rats at doses up to 10 times the highest recommended human dose.
- There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. THIOLA should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies potential risk to the fetus.
Pregnancy Category (AUS):
- Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) Pregnancy Category
There is no Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) guidance on usage of Tiopronin in women who are pregnant.

### Labor and Delivery
There is no FDA guidance on use of Tiopronin during labor and delivery.

### Nursing Mothers
- Because THIOLA may be excreted in milk and because of the potential serious adverse reactions of nursing infants from THIOLA, mothers taking THIOLA should not nurse their infants.

### Pediatric Use
- Safety and effectiveness below the age of 9 have not been established.

### Geriatic Use
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Tiopronin with respect to geriatric patients.

### Gender
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Tiopronin with respect to specific gender populations.

### Race
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Tiopronin with respect to specific racial populations.

### Renal Impairment
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Tiopronin in patients with renal impairment.

### Hepatic Impairment
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Tiopronin in patients with hepatic impairment.

### Females of Reproductive Potential and Males
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Tiopronin in women of reproductive potentials and males.

### Immunocompromised Patients
There is no FDA guidance one the use of Tiopronin in patients who are immunocompromised.

# Administration and Monitoring

### Administration
- Oral

### Monitoring
There is limited information regarding Monitoring of Tiopronin in the drug label.
- Description

# IV Compatibility
There is limited information regarding IV Compatibility of Tiopronin in the drug label.

# Overdosage
There is limited information regarding Chronic Overdose of Tiopronin in the drug label.

# Pharmacology
There is limited information regarding Tiopronin Pharmacology in the drug label.

## Mechanism of Action
- THIOLA is an active reducing agent which undergoes thiol-disulfide exchange with cystine to form a mixed disulfide of Thiola-cysteine.
- From this reaction, a water-soluble mixed disulfide is formed and the amount of sparingly soluble cystine is reduced. When THIOLA is given orally, up to 48% of dose appears in urine during the first 4 hours and up to 78% by 72 hours. Thus, in patients with cystinuria, sufficient amount of THIOLA or its active metabolites could appear in urine to react with cystine, lowering cystine excretion.

## Structure
- THIOLA (Tiopronin) is a reducing and complexing thiol compound. Tiopronin is N-(2-Mercaptopropionyl) glycine and has the following structure:

## Pharmacodynamics
There is limited information regarding Pharmacodynamics of Tiopronin in the drug label.

## Pharmacokinetics
- The decrement in urinary cystine produced by THIOLA is generally proportional to the dose. A reduction in urinary cystine of 250-350 mg/day at a THIOLA dosage of 1 g/day, and a decline of approximately 500 mg/day at a dosage of 2 g/day, might be expected. THIOLA causes a sustained reduction in cystine excretion without apparent loss of effectiveness. THIOLA has a rapid onset and offset of action, showing a fall in cystine excretion on the first day of administration and a rise on the first day of drug withdrawal.

## Nonclinical Toxicology
- Long-term carcino-genicity studies in animals have not been performed. High doses of THIOLA in experimental animals have been shown to interfere with maintenance of pregnancy and viability of the fetus.

# Clinical Studies
There is limited information regarding Clinical Studies of Tiopronin in the drug label.

# How Supplied
THIOLA (NDC 0178-0900-01), is available for oral administration as 100 mg. round, white, sugar coated tablets in bottles of 100 tablets each. Each tablet is imprinted in red with M on one side and blank on the other side. 
C05 Rev 010060
MISSION PHARMACAL COMPANY, San Antonio, TX 78230 1355

## Storage
- Store at 25C (77F); excursions permitted to 15- 30C (59-86F)

# Images

## Drug Images

## Package and Label Display Panel

### PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL
THIOLA Label
NDC: 0178-0900-01

# Patient Counseling Information
There is limited information regarding Patient Counseling Information of Tiopronin in the drug label.

# Precautions with Alcohol
- Alcohol-Tiopronin interaction has not been established. Talk to your doctor about the effects of taking alcohol with this medication.

# Brand Names
- THIOLA

# Look-Alike Drug Names
There is limited information regarding Tiopronin Look-Alike Drug Names in the drug label.

# Drug Shortage Status

# Price