racemethionine

Racemethionine is the racemic mixture of the essential sulfur-containing amino acid methionine (DL-methionine). It is primarily utilized as a urinary acidifier to reduce the pH of urine, which helps control the formation of ammonia. This action is clinically applied to manage ammonia-induced diaper rash in infants and to control odor and skin irritation in incontinent adults. Additionally, it serves as a metabolic precursor for cysteine and glutathione, playing a role in detoxification processes and sulfur metabolism. While historically used in the management of liver disorders and acetaminophen overdose, its primary contemporary pharmaceutical use is for urinary pH regulation. Recent research has also identified racemethionine as a potential biomarker for oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy and as a metabolite involved in high-altitude adaptation in animal models.

Brand names

PedamethM-CapsUracidOdor-Scrip

Other names

DL-methionineDL-2-Amino-4-(methylthio)butanoic acidracemethionine