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Acetylcysteine

About

Acetylcysteine belongs to a class of drugs called 'mucolytic agents' (cough/sputum thinner) primarily used to treat respiratory diseases associated with excessive mucus. Acute respiratory diseases are initially associated with dry, irritating cough, hoarseness in laryngitis (swelling of the voice box), or burning sensation in the chest due to bronchitis (swelling of the lining of bronchial tubes). Then, wet mucus forms, and continuous coughing out of sputum occurs. In chronic respiratory diseases, both dry irritating cough and wet cough with mucus occur.

Acetylcysteine contains 'Acetylcysteine' that works by thinning and loosening phlegm (mucus) in the lungs, windpipe, and nasal passage. Thereby, making it easier to cough out phlegm.

Take Acetylcysteine as prescribed. Your doctor will advise you on how often you take Acetylcysteine based on your medical condition. Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, or fever. Most of these side effects of 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 Acetylcysteine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Acetylcysteine is not recommended for children below 14 years of age. Drink plenty of fluids to thin mucus and lubricate your throat while taking Acetylcysteine. When the bottle is opened, the liquid (syrup) colour may change and have a bad odor. This is normal, and it does not indicate that medicine has changed. 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. However, if you notice any skin rash worsening with mucosal lesions or blisters, stop taking Acetylcysteine and contact your doctor immediately. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before taking Acetylcysteine. If you have a history of stomach ulcers or have asthma inform your doctor before taking Acetylcysteine.

Uses of Acetylcysteine

Respiratory diseases associated with excessive mucus

Medicinal Benefits

Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic agent (sputum thinner) used to treat acute (short term) and chronic (long term) respiratory diseases associated with excess mucus. Acetylcysteine works by thinning and loosening phlegm (mucus) in the lungs, windpipe, and nasal passage. Thereby, making it easier to cough out phlegm. Acetylcysteine is used in the treatment of conditions such as emphysema (shortness of breath), bronchitis (inflammation of mucous membranes in the airways), bronchiectasis (chronic widening of airway passage), and mucoviscidosis/cystic fibrosis (thick mucous clogs different parts of the body).

Directions for Use

Oral tablet: Take it preferably with food to avoid stomach upset or as advised by the doctor. Swallow the tablet as a whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew or break it. Effervescent tablet: Drop the tablet in a glass of water and allow it to dissolve completely. Wait for about one and half minute for the water to get clear. Stir the water and drink immediately. Syrup: Shake the bottle well before use. Check the label for directions before using it and take it with or without food as advised by your doctor using a measuring cup that is provided with the pack.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of Acetylcysteine

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach upset
  • Fever

In-Depth Precautions and Warning

Drug Warnings

If you are allergic to Acetylcysteine or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Acetylcysteine is not recommended for children below 14 years of age. Drink plenty of fluids to thin mucus and lubricate your throat while taking 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. However, if you notice any skin rash worsening with mucosal lesions or blisters, stop taking Acetylcysteine and contact your doctor immediately. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before taking Acetylcysteine. If you have a history of stomach ulcers or have asthma, inform your doctor before taking Acetylcysteine.

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interaction: Acetylcysteine may have interaction with antibiotics (tetracycline, penicillin, gentamicin, amikacin, neomycin), medicines used to treat chest pain (glyceryl trinitrate), cough suppressants (dextromethorphan, codeine).

Drug-Food Interaction: 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).

Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have a history of stomach ulcers or have asthma, inform your doctor before taking Acetylcysteine.

Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:

  • TETRACYCLINE
  • AMOXICILLIN
  • GENTAMICIN
  • AMIKACIN
  • NEOMYCIN
  • GLYCERYL TRINITRATE
  • DEXTROMETHORPHAN
  • CODEINE
  • Safety Advice

    • Safety Warning

      Alcohol

      caution

      Interaction of alcohol with Acetylcysteine is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Acetylcysteine.

    • Safety Warning

      Pregnancy

      caution

      Acetylcysteine is a Category B pregnancy drug. However, it is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.

    • Safety Warning

      Breast Feeding

      caution

      It is unknown whether Acetylcysteine is excreted in human milk. Acetylcysteine is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.

    • Safety Warning

      Driving

      safe if prescribed

      Acetylcysteine usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

    • Safety Warning

      Liver

      safe if prescribed

      Please consult a doctor if you have any concerns regarding the use of Acetylcysteine in patients with liver problems.

    • Safety Warning

      Kidney

      safe if prescribed

      Please consult a doctor if you have any concerns regarding the use of Acetylcysteine in patients with Kidney problems.

    • Safety Warning

      Children

      caution

      Acetylcysteine is not recommended for children below 14 years of age. Please consult a doctor before giving Acetylcysteine to children.

    Habit Forming

    No

    Diet & Lifestyle Advise

    • Avoid dairy products such as milk as it may increase mucus production. Also, avoid processed or refined foods to have relief from cough. Instead replace baked foods, fried foods, white bread, white pasta, French fries, sugary desserts and chips with green leafy vegetables.
    • Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dry throat while you have a cough.
    • Avoid citrus fruits as it may worsen the cough. Eat fruits that are rich in water content such as pears, watermelon, peaches and pineapples.

    Special Advise

    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 Acetylcysteine before undergoing any laboratory tests.

    Patients Concern

    Disease/Condition Glossary

    Acute respiratory diseases are initially associated with dry, irritating cough, hoarseness in laryngitis (swelling of the voice box), or burning sensation in the chest due to bronchitis (swelling of the lining of bronchial tubes). Then, wet mucus forms, and continuous coughing out of sputum occurs. In chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and chronic bronchitis, both dry irritating cough and wet cough with mucus occur.

    FAQs

    Acetylcysteine contains Acetylcysteine that belongs to the class of mucolytic agents (cough/sputum thinner). It works by thinning and loosening phlegm (mucus) in lungs, windpipe and nose. Thereby, helps to cough out easily.

    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 Acetylcysteine.

    You are not recommended to take 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 minimum of 2 hours between taking Acetylcysteine and antibiotics. However, please consult a doctor before using Acetylcysteine with antibiotics or any other medicines.

    You are recommended to take Acetylcysteine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. However, if the symptoms worsen or persist after 1 week of using Acetylcysteine, please consult your doctor.

    You are not recommended to stop taking Acetylcysteine without consulting your doctor as it may worsen cough or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Acetylcysteine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Acetylcysteine, please consult your doctor.

    Available Medicines for

    Acetylcysteine

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