What is "cysteamine"

n. (context biochemistry English) The simplest stable aminothiol, a degradation product of the amino acid cysteine, used to treat cystine excretion disorders and radiation sickness.

Cysteamine is the chemical compound with the formula HSCHCHNH. It is the simplest stable aminothiol and a degradation product of the amino acid cysteine. It is often used as the hydrochloride salt, HSCHCHNHCl. The comparatively high melting point of cysteamine (95-97 °C), indicates that it exists in a salt form.