Halitosis in cystinosis patients after administration of immediate-release cysteamine bitartrate compared to delayed-release cysteamine bitartrate.

Halitosis due to dimethylsulfide (DMS) generation is a major side effect of cysteamine in the treatment of cystinosis. Recently, an enteric coated formulation of cysteamine bitartrate (RP103) administered twice daily was demonstrated to be non-inferior for lowering WBC cystine levels compared to the non-enteric coated formulation (Cystagon®), administered 4 times per day. Since both formulations had different pharmacokinetic profiles, we compared DMS breath levels after administration of either RP103 or Cystagon® in four cystinosis patients. Although cysteamine areas under the curve (AUCs) were comparable, AUC of DMS was lower after the administration of RP103 compared to Cystagon®. This observation is of importance in cystinosis patients, since halitosis hampers compliance with cysteamine therapy.