Cystadrops (cysteamine ophthalmic solution 0.37%)
An approved treatment for Cystinosis.
The same compound appears under different names depending on the context. Here is how to identify Cysteamine ophthalmic solution 0.37% wherever you encounter it, plus the key facts at a glance.
- Generic name
- Cysteamine ophthalmic solution 0.37%
- Brand name
- Cystadrops
- Drug class
- Cystine-depleting agent (eye drop)
- Manufacturer
- Recordati Rare Diseases
- How it's taken
- One drop in each eye 4 times a day while awake.
Thicker cysteamine eye drops, approved August 19, 2020, used 4 times a day to treat cystine crystals in the cornea of adults and children with cystinosis.
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Where Cysteamine ophthalmic solution 0.37% fits
A 4-times-a-day alternative to hourly Cystaran drops, used alongside cysteamine by mouth.
How Cysteamine ophthalmic solution 0.37% works
Cysteamine taken by mouth does not reach the cornea well. These thicker drops deliver cysteamine to the eye, where it breaks down cystine crystals, and they are used less often than the hourly drops.
Mechanism: Dissolves cystine crystals in the cornea
Side effects and safety
The most common side effects, in 10% or more of people, were eye pain, blurred vision, eye irritation, redness, discomfort where the drop goes in, itching, watery eyes and medicine deposits on the eye. Contact lenses come out before each drop.
This is not a complete list of side effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what to expect and when to seek medical attention.
Taking Cysteamine ophthalmic solution 0.37%
One drop in each eye 4 times a day while awake. Unopened bottles go in the fridge; an opened bottle stays at room temperature and is thrown away 7 days after opening.
Availability and cost
Only available as the brand-name product.
Help paying for Cystadrops
Pick your insurance to see which help fits. Drugmaker copay cards can't be used with Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE; charity funds are the usual route there.
- Copay help
Eligible patients with commercial insurance may pay $0.
For: private insurance · source - Free medicine program
A patient assistance program for eligible uninsured or underinsured patients.
For: no insurance, underinsured · source - Insurance and case manager help
Dispensed by Anovo specialty pharmacy, with a Patient Liaison program available in English and Spanish.
For: private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, no insurance, underinsured · source
Access and eligibility
Approved for corneal cystine crystal deposits in adults and children with cystinosis.
Access program details are provided for informational purposes and may vary based on insurance coverage, geographic location, and individual circumstances. Confirm current eligibility directly with the manufacturer or your specialty pharmacy.
Development history
Approved by the FDA on August 19, 2020.
Explore Cystinosis trials
Other Cystinosis treatments
Common questions about Cysteamine ophthalmic solution 0.37%
▸What is Cysteamine ophthalmic solution 0.37% (Cystadrops)?
Thicker cysteamine eye drops, approved August 19, 2020, used 4 times a day to treat cystine crystals in the cornea of adults and children with cystinosis.
▸How does Cysteamine ophthalmic solution 0.37% work?
Cysteamine taken by mouth does not reach the cornea well. These thicker drops deliver cysteamine to the eye, where it breaks down cystine crystals, and they are used less often than the hourly drops.
▸What are the side effects of Cysteamine ophthalmic solution 0.37%?
The most common side effects, in 10% or more of people, were eye pain, blurred vision, eye irritation, redness, discomfort where the drop goes in, itching, watery eyes and medicine deposits on the eye. Contact lenses come out before each drop.
▸How is Cysteamine ophthalmic solution 0.37% taken?
One drop in each eye 4 times a day while awake. Unopened bottles go in the fridge; an opened bottle stays at room temperature and is thrown away 7 days after opening.
▸Is Cysteamine ophthalmic solution 0.37% FDA approved?
Yes, Cysteamine ophthalmic solution 0.37% (Cystadrops) is FDA approved (2020) for the treatment of Cystinosis.
Sources and references
Every factual claim on this page is drawn from the public sources listed below. Click any reference to open the original document.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed · 2025-06. CYSTADROPS (cysteamine ophthalmic solution) 0.37%: prescribing information. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5d2bcce3-9b89-4141-aeb7-db00449047f5