What you need to know about Tiopronin, a medicine used to treat kidney stones caused by cystinuria

How annoying is it for some people to have frequent kidney stones? This is especially common for someone with a genetic condition like cystinuria. So if your doctor has prescribed a medicine called Tiopronin to control this condition, it is very important to be fully informed about it. In this article, we will talk about this medicine in simple terms.

What is Tiopronin?

Simply put, Tiopronin is a special drug that works by binding to an amino acid called cystine in our body. Now you're probably wondering what it is.

Imagine, a person with cystinuria has an excess amount of a chemical called cystine excreted from their body, especially in their urine. When the concentration of cystine in the urine increases, they clump together, clump together, and become hard, forming kidney stones . This is a very painful condition.

So what Tiopronin does is it binds to these extra cystines in the urine and turns them into a soluble compound. Then the cystines clump together and stop forming stones. That means the main function of this medicine is to prevent the recurrence of kidney stones . In Sri Lanka, you can find this medicine under brand names like Thiola EC.

Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication

Before prescribing Tiopronin, your doctor will ask you a few questions, but be sure to ask these questions yourself.

• Other kidney diseases: About any other kidney disease you already have.
• Allergies: Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any allergies to Tiopronin, any other medicine, food, dyes, or preservatives.
• Pregnancy: Tell us if you are pregnant, or planning to have a baby soon.
• If you are a breastfeeding mother: It is very important to inform the doctor if you are a breastfeeding mother.

The correct way to use the medicine

To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it as directed.

• How to take: Swallow this tablet whole with a glass of water. These usually come as delayed-release tablets that are designed to be absorbed slowly by the body. Therefore, they should not be chewed, crushed, or broken.
• If you have trouble swallowing: If you have trouble swallowing the pill whole, talk to your doctor about it. Sometimes, they may advise you to crush the pill and mix it with something like applesauce. But never break or crush the pill without asking your doctor.
• Time: Try to take your medicine at the same time every day , as prescribed by your doctor.
• Food: This medication can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset or nausea after taking the medication, taking it with a meal may help reduce the discomfort.
• For children: Special precautions are required when giving this medicine to young children. Therefore, give it only on the advice of a doctor.

What to do if you miss a dose of medication?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose for any reason.

Overdose

If you suddenly think you have taken more than the prescribed dose of this medicine, immediately go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

Possible side effects while taking the medicine

Like any medicine, Tiopronin can cause side effects in some people. These can be divided into two main categories.

Other things to be careful about when taking the medicine

• Medical tests: It is very important to go to the clinics at the scheduled times as prescribed by your doctor. They will need to do blood and urine tests to check how you are doing.
• Food and fluids: You will be asked to follow a special diet while taking this medication. You will also be asked to drink plenty of water each day. Ask your doctor exactly how much water you should drink each day and what foods are good/bad to eat.
• Alcohol: Avoid alcohol completely while taking this medication. Alcohol and this medication may cause adverse reactions.
• Other medications: Don't forget to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements).

Storage and disposal of medication

• Storage: Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children and pets . It is best to store it at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius).
• Disposal: It is very important to properly dispose of expired or unused medications. Never flush medications down the toilet. The best way is to remove the pills from the bottle, mix them with something like used tea leaves or coffee grounds, put them in a tightly sealed polythene bag, and throw them in the trash.

Tiopronin, Cystinuria, Kidney Stones, Cysteine, Thiola EC, Medication Side Effects, Drug Information