Rx only
Fact box
- Therapeutic class
- Other urologicals
- Action class
- Reducing and Complexing Thiol
- Mechanism
- Cystine Disulfide Reduction
- Chemical class
- N-substituted Glycines
- Habit forming
- No
- Availability
- Prescription (Rx)
Brand names
ThiolaVenxxiva
Available as
100 MG · Oral Tablet300 MG · Oral Tablet
FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.
Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE VENXXIVA is indicated, in combination with high fluid intake, alkali, and diet modification, for the prevention of cystine stone formation in adults and pediatric patients 9 years of age and older with severe homozygous cystinuria, who are not responsive to these measures alone. Additional pediatric use information is approved for Mission Pharmacal Company’s Thiola EC (tiopronin delayed-release) tablets. However, due to Mission Pharmacal Company’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information. VENXXIVA is a reducing and complexing thiol indicated, in combination with high fluid intake, alkali, and diet modification, for the prevention of cystine stone formation in adults and pediatric patients 9 years of age and older with severe homozygous cystinuria, who are not responsive to these measures alone. ( 1 )
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action The goal of therapy is to reduce urinary cystine concentration below its solubility limit. Tiopronin is an active reducing agent which undergoes thiol-disulfide exchange with cystine to form a mixed disulfide of tiopronin-cysteine. From this reaction, a water-soluble mixed disulfide is formed and the amount of sparingly soluble cystine is reduced.
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended initial dosage in adult patients is 800 mg/day. In clinical studies, the average dosage was about 1,000 mg/day. ( 2.1 ) The recommended initial dosage in pediatric patients 9 years of age and older is 15 mg/kg/day. Avoid dosages greater than 50 mg/kg per day in pediatric patients. ( 5.1 , 8.4 ) Measure urinary cystine 1 month after initiation of VENXXIVA and every 3 months thereafter. ( 2.3 ) Administer VENXXIVA in 3 divided doses at the same times each day, without food. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage Adults : The recommended initial dosage in adult patients is 800 mg/day. In clinical studies, the average dosage was about 1,000 mg/day. Pediatrics : The recommended initial dosage in pediatric patients 9 years of age and older is 15 mg/kg/day. Avoid dosages greater than 50 mg/kg per day in pediatric patients [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )] . Administer VENXXIVA in 3 divided doses at the same times each day, without food. Consider starting VENXXIVA at a lower dosage in patients with history of severe toxicity to d-penicillamine. Additional pediatric use information is approved for Mission Pharmacal Company’s Thiola EC (tiopronin delayed-release) tablets. However, due to Mission Pharmacal Company’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information. 2.3 Monitoring Measure urinary cystine 1 month after starting VENXXIVA and every 3 months thereafter. Adjust VENXXIVA dosage to maintain urinary cystine concentration less than 250 mg/L. Assess for proteinuria before treatment and every 3 to 6 months during treatment [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Discontinue VENXXIVA in patients who develop proteinuria, and monitor urinary protein and renal function. Consider restarting VENXXIVA treatment at a lower dosage after resolution of proteinuria.
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Proteinuria [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Most common adverse reactions (≥10%) are nausea, diarrhea or soft stools, oral ulcers, rash, fatigue, fever, arthralgia, proteinuria, and emesis. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Cycle Pharmaceuticals Ltd at 1-857-437-3969 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, the adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of the drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse reactions occurring at an incidence of ≥5% in an uncontrolled trial in 66 patients with cystinuria age 9 to 68 years are shown in the table below. Patients in group 1 had previously been treated with d-penicillamine; those in group 2 had not. Of those patients who had stopped taking d-penicillamine due to toxicity (34 out of 49 patients in group 1), 22 were able to continue treatment with tiopronin. In those without prior history of d-penicillamine treatment, 6% developed reactions of sufficient severity to require tiopronin withdrawal. Table 1 presents adverse reactions ≥5% in either treatment group occurring in this trial. Table 1: Adverse Reactions Occurring in One or More Patients System Organ Class Adverse Reaction Group 1 Previously treated with d-penicillamine (N = 49) Group 2 Naïve to d-penicillamine (N = 17) Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders anemia 1 (2%) 1 (6%) Gastrointestinal Disorders nausea 12 (25%) 2 (12%) emesis 5 (10%) – diarrhea/soft stools 9 (18%) 1 (6%) abdominal pain – 1 (6%) oral ulcers 6 (12%) 3 (18%) General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions fever 4 (8%) – weakness 2 (4%) 2 (12%) fatigue 7 (14%) – peripheral (edema) 3 (6%) 1 (6%) chest pain – 1 (6%) Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders anorexia 4 (8%) – Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders arthralgia – 2 (12%) Renal and Urinary Disorders proteinuria 5 (10%) 1 (6%) impotence – 1 (6%) Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders cough – 1 (6%) Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders rash 7 (14%) 2 (12%) ecchymosis 3 (6%) – pruritus 2 (4%) 1 (6%) urticaria 4 (8%) – skin wrinkling 3 (6%) 1 (6%) Taste Disturbance A reduction in taste perception may develop. It is believed to be the result of chelation of trace metals by tiopronin. Hypogeusia is often self-limited. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience Adverse reactions have been reported from the literature, as well as during post-approval use of tiopronin. Because the post-approval reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to tiopronin exposure. Adverse reactions reported during the postmarketing use of tiopronin are listed by body system in Table 2 . Table 2: Adverse Reactions Reported for Tiopronin Pharmacovigilance by System Organ Class and Preferred Term System Organ Class Preferred Term Cardiac Disorders congestive heart failure Ear and Labyrinth Disorder vertigo Gastrointestinal Disorders abdominal discomfort; abdominal distension; abdominal pain; chapped lips; diarrhea; dry mouth; dyspepsia; eructation; flatulence; gastrointestinal disorder; gastroesophageal reflux disease; nausea; vomiting; jaundice; liver transaminitis General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions asthenia; chest pain; fatigue; malaise; pain; peripheral swelling; pyrexia; swelling Investigations glomerular filtration rate decreased; weight increased Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders decreased appetite; dehydration; hypophagia Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders arthralgia; back pain; flank pain; joint swelling; limb discomfort; musculoskeletal discomfort; mya
Safety advice
Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.
PregnancyUnsafe
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Available published case report data with tiopronin have not identified a drug-associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Renal stones in pregnancy may result in adverse pregnancy outcomes (see Clinical Considerations ) . In animal reproduction studies, there were no adverse developmental outcomes with oral administration of tiopronin to pregnant mice and rats during organogenesis at doses up to 2 times a 2 grams/day human dose (based on mg/m 2 ). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population 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 defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies are 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Renal stones in pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth and low birth weight. Data Animal Data No findings of fetal malformations could be attributed to the drug in reproduction studies in mice and rats at doses up to 2 times the highest recommended human dose of 2 grams/day (based on mg/m 2 ).
BreastfeedingCaution
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Lactation: Breastfeeding is not recommended.…
AlcoholConsult your doctor
…7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Alcohol Tiopronin is released faster from VENXXIVA in the presence of alcohol and the risk for adverse events associated with VENXXIVA when taken with alcohol is unknown.…
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyCaution
…in patients who develop proteinuria, and monitor urinary protein and renal function.…
LiverNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Proteinuria, including nephrotic syndrome, and membranous nephropathy, has been reported with tiopronin use. Pediatric patients receiving greater than 50 mg/kg of tiopronin per day may be at increased risk for proteinuria. ( 2.1 , 5.1 , 8.4 ) Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported during tiopronin treatment. ( 4 , 5.2 ) 5.1 Proteinuria Proteinuria, including nephrotic syndrome, and membranous nephropathy, have been reported with tiopronin use. Pediatric patients receiving greater than 50 mg/kg of tiopronin per day may be at increased risk for proteinuria. [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ), Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 , 6.2 ), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )] . Monitor patients for the development of proteinuria and discontinue therapy in patients who develop proteinuria [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )] . 5.2 Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions (drug fever, rash, fever, arthralgia and lymphadenopathy) have been reported [see Contraindications ( 4 )] .
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS VENXXIVA is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to tiopronin or any other components of VENXXIVA [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Hypersensitivity to tiopronin or any component of VENXXIVA ( 4 )
Pediatric use
8.4 Pediatric Use VENXXIVA is indicated in pediatric patients 9 years of age and older with severe homozygous cystinuria, in combination with high fluid intake, alkali, and diet modification, for the prevention of cystine stone formation who are not responsive to these measures alone. This indication is based on safety and efficacy data from a trial in patients 9 years to 68 years of age and clinical experience. Proteinuria, including nephrotic syndrome, has been reported in pediatric patients. Pediatric patients receiving greater than 50 mg/kg tiopronin per day may be at greater risk [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 , 2.3 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . VENXXIVA tablets are not approved for use in pediatric patients weighing less than 20 kg or in pediatric patients unable to swallow tablets [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )] . Additional pediatric use information is approved for Mission Pharmacal Company’s Thiola EC (tiopronin delayed-release) tablets. However, due to Mission Pharmacal Company’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that information.
⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.
Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Alcohol Tiopronin is released faster from VENXXIVA in the presence of alcohol and the risk for adverse events associated with VENXXIVA when taken with alcohol is unknown. Avoid alcohol consumption 2 hours before and 3 hours after taking VENXXIVA [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE There is no information on overdosage with tiopronin.
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)
8 marketed products on record (RxNorm)
Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.