Thiola^® (tiopronin)

For the prevention of cystine kidney stone formation

Thiola^® is an alternative therapeutic approach that helps prevent cystine (kidney) stone formation in patients who are resistant to diet modification and high fluid intake.

About cystine stones

Cystinuria is caused by a defect in intestinal and renal tubular transport of dibasic amino acids that results in excessive urinary excretion of cystine. The poor solubility of cystine in urine leads to stone formation. The accumulation of cystine causes crystallization when concentrations rise above the saturation point (approximately 250 mg cystine per liter of urine).^1,2

Cystine stones typically occur in approximately 10,000 persons in the United States who are homozygous for cystinuria. Patients with this disorder may present at a young age. In children, cystinuria is the cause of up to 10% of all stones.^1,2

Hypercalciuria, hyperuricosuria, and hypocitraturia frequently accompany cystinuria. These metabolic abnormalities may contribute to the formation of calcium and uric acid stones, which sometimes complicate cystine nephrolithiasis.²