Toxicity Profile for S-Carboxymethylcysteine (2002)

Abstract

The published literature contains papers where the isomeric form of the tested chemical was specified (S-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine) or was unspecified (S-carboxymethylcysteine). It seems likely that in all cases the test chemical was the L-isomer, as this is the isomer of therapeutic interest. Acute oral toxicity was low in rats and mice. Therapeutic use involving repeated oral doses appears to have been well tolerated by humans. Japanese studies involving repeated oral treatment of rats reported blood effects and changes in serum liver enzymes. Studies involving repeated oral administration to rats and rabbits prior to mating and/or during pregnancy found no consistent evidence of effects on reproduction or foetal development. No evidence of mutagenic activity was seen in limited Ames bacterial tests.