Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine
About
Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine belongs to the class of drugs called ‘mucolytic agents’ (cough/sputum thinner) primarily used to prevent and treat symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing (whistling sound while breathing). COPD is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation in the lining of bronchial tubes).
Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine is a combination of two drugs, namely: Acebrophylline (mucolytic and bronchodilator) and N-Acetylcysteine (mucolytic agent/sputum thinner). Acebrophylline works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. N-Acetylcysteine works by thinning and loosening phlegm (mucus) in the lungs, windpipe and nose. Together, Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine helps to cough out easily and makes breathing easier by opening airways.
Swallow Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine as a whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew or break it. Your doctor will recommend how often you take Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine based on your medical condition. Some people may experience diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, runny nose, dizziness, heartburn, stomach pain, skin rash, and drowsiness. Most of these side effects of Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. If you are breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine. If you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), irregular heartbeats, viral infections, heart failure, asthma, high blood pressure, fits, gastric or duodenal ulcers, heart diseases, kidney or liver insufficiency, inform your doctor before taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine. Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine is not recommended for children below 14 years of age.
Uses of Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine
Medicinal Benefits
Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine is a combination of two drugs: Acebrophylline and N-Acetylcysteine. Acebrophylline belongs to the class of bronchodilators with additional mucolytic properties and works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. N-Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic agent (cough/sputum thinner) that works by thinning and loosening phlegm (mucus) in the lungs, windpipe and nose. Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine breaks down the acid mucopolysaccharide fibres that make the mucus (sputum) thinner and less dense/viscous, thereby helps remove sputum efficiently by coughing. However, the viscosity of sputum remains low for as long as treatment is maintained. Together, Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine helps to cough out easily and makes breathing easier by opening airways.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine
- Diarrhoea,
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Runny nose
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Heartburn
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine is not recommended for children below 14 years of age. Regular monitoring of potassium levels is recommended while taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine as it may cause low potassium levels in the blood. Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. If you are breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine. Severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a serious and rare disorder of skin and mucus membranes) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (skin blistering or skin peeling) have been rarely reported in some patients. If you notice any skin rash worsening with mucosal lesions or blisters, stop taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine and contact your doctor immediately. Do not take Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine if you have a heart rhythm disorder that causes fast heartbeats. Avoid taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine if you have low blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, hemodynamic instability (unstable blood pressure), or have had a heart attack. If you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), irregular heartbeats, viral infections, heart failure, asthma, high blood pressure, fits, gastric or duodenal ulcers, heart diseases, kidney or liver insufficiency, inform your doctor before taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine may interact with water pills (e.g. furosemide), medicines used to treat gout (e.g. allopurinol), antacid (e.g. cimetidine), antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, amoxicillin, doxycycline, tetracycline, gentamicin, amikacin, neomycin), drugs used to lower high blood pressure (e.g. diltiazem, verapamil), heart-related medicines (e.g. isoprenaline), anthelmintic (e.g. thiabendazole), corticosteroids (e.g. prednisone), oral contraceptives (e.g. ethinylestradiol), medicines used to treat chest pain (e.g. glyceryl trinitrate) and cough suppressants (e.g. dextromethorphan, codeine).
Drug-Food Interactions: If you are allergic to histamine, avoid histamine rich foods such as tomatoes, wine and processed foods as it may cause histamine intolerance leading to symptoms such as flushing (redness of the skin), migraine headaches, skin rash, itching and rhinitis (runny and stuffy nose). Also, avoid intake of alcohol with Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine as it may increase drowsiness. Also, avoid or limit the intake of caffeine with Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine as it may cause side effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Avoid taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine if you have low blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, hemodynamic instability (unstable blood pressure), had a heart attack. If you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), irregular heartbeats, viral infections, heart failure, asthma, high blood pressure, fits, gastric or duodenal ulcers, heart diseases, kidney or liver insufficiency, inform your doctor before taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine as it may reduce the effectiveness of Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine and increase drowsiness. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine.
Pregnancy
unsafeAcebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine is not recommended for pregnant women. Please consult a doctor before using Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine is excreted in human milk. Please consult a doctor before taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionAcebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
Liver
cautionTake Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Please consult your doctor.
Kidney
cautionTake Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Please consult your doctor.
Children
unsafeAcebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine is not recommended for children below 14 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat foods rich in potassium such as bananas, asparagus, oranges, potatoes, avocados, dark leafy greens and beetroots as potassium is important for lung function and a potassium deficiency may cause breathing problems.
- Drink plenty of fluids every day to thin mucus which makes it easier to cough out.
- Maintain a diet that includes complex carbohydrates such as lentils, beans, barley, oats, quinoa, bran, peas and potatoes with skin.
- Limit or avoid the intake of caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee, soda, and energy drinks like red bull.
- Eat protein-rich foods such as meat, fish (particularly salmon, sardines and mackerel), eggs and poultry.
- Exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system. Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.
- Quit smoking as it may irritate the lungs and worsen breathing problems.
Special Advise
- Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine to monitor the levels of Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine and potassium in the blood.
- Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine may affect the test results of ketones in urine and salicylate (like aspirin) in the blood. Therefore, inform your doctor that you are taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine before undergoing any laboratory tests.
- Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine does not relieve sudden asthma symptoms, so it is advised to carry a rescue inhaler always to treat sudden asthma symptoms.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).
FAQs
Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine contains Acebrophylline and N Acetylcysteine. Acebrophylline belongs to the class of bronchodilators with additional mucolytic properties and works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. N-Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic agent (cough/sputum thinner) that works by thinning and loosening phlegm (mucus) in the lungs, windpipe and nose. Together, Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine helps treat COPD.
Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine should be used with caution in patients suffering from epilepsy (fits) as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have a history of fits before taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine so that the dose may be adjusted or an alternate medicine may be prescribed.
You are not recommended to take Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine with antibiotics such as tetracycline, amoxicillin, amikacin and gentamicin at the same time as it may reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics. However, if you are supposed to take these medicines together, maintain a time gap of a minimum of 2 hours between Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine and antibiotics. Please consult a doctor before using Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine with antibiotics or any other medicines.
You are recommended to avoid taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine if you are allergic to acebrophylline, ambroxol, theophylline or suffering from irregular heartbeats, hemodynamic instability (unstable blood pressure), low blood pressure, liver or kidney disorders or had a heart attack. Inform your doctor if you have any of these conditions before taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine.
No, you are not recommended to smoke while taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine as it may reduce the effectiveness of Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine and also damage your lungs. Long term smoking may cause breathing problems like asthma, bronchitis and COPD. Quitting smoking is the best way to keep your lungs healthy.
You are recommended to avoid histamine rich foods such as tomatoes, wine and processed foods as it may cause histamine intolerance by affecting the way histamine is broken down in the body leading to symptoms such as flushing (redness of the skin), migraine headaches, skin rash, itching and rhinitis (runny and stuffy nose). Therefore, if you are allergic to histamine or cannot tolerate food and drinks rich in histamine, please inform your doctor before taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine.
No, you are not recommended to stop taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the condition of your cough and other breathing problems causing recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine, please consult your doctor.
No, Acebrophylline+n Acetylcysteine does not relieve sudden asthma symptoms. Therefore, it is advised to carry a rescue inhaler always to treat sudden asthma symptoms.
