Acetylcysteine
About Acetylcysteine
Acetylcysteine belongs to a class of drugs called 'mucolytic agents' (cough/sputum thinner), primarily used to treat respiratory diseases associated with excessive mucus.
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.
Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, 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.
Do not take Acetylcysteine if you are allergic to any of its components. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult your doctor. Keep your doctor informed about your health conditions and medications to prevent any potential interactions.
Uses of Acetylcysteine
• Mucolytic Agent: Acetylcysteine aids in the breakdown and thinning of mucus in the airways, facilitating coughing and removal. It is especially beneficial in conditions like chronic bronchitis.
• Respiratory Conditions: When mucus production is an issue, such as in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it is frequently used to treat the symptoms of respiratory tract infections.
• Easing Cough: Acetylcysteine helps ease persistent coughs brought on by an accumulation of mucus by decreasing the viscosity of mucus.
• Sinusitis Treatment: Acetylcysteine can help cure sinusitis by reducing the amount of mucus in the sinuses, which relieves pressure and enhances sinus outflow.
Medicinal Benefits
- Acetylcysteine helps break down and thin thick, sticky mucus in the lungs, windpipe, and nasal passages, making it easier to expel by coughing.
- By promoting mucus clearance, Acetylcysteine relieves chest congestion and improves breathing comfort.
- It is effective in managing both short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) respiratory diseases associated with mucus overproduction.
- Acetylcysteine helps relieve symptoms of emphysema, such as shortness of breath, by reducing mucus obstruction in the airways.
- It is used in bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes), where it helps ease cough and airway blockage caused by excess mucus.
- Aids in the treatment of bronchiectasis, a chronic condition where the airways are abnormally widened, leading to mucus buildup.
- It is also useful in cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition where thick mucus affects the lungs and other organs.
- Acetylcysteine helps improve mucus clearance and reduce complications.
- By clearing the airways of thick mucus, Acetylcysteine supports better airflow, reduces coughing episodes, and enhances lung function.
Directions for Use
- Acetylcysteine can be taken with food to avoid any stomach upset.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Acetylcysteine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Acetylcysteine
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach upset
- Fever
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Acetylcysteine if you are allergic to any of its components.
- Severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a rare and serious disorder affecting the skin and mucus membranes) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (characterised by skin blistering or peeling), have been reported in some patients. 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, consult your doctor before taking Acetylcysteine.
- Inform your doctor if you have a history of stomach ulcers or asthma.
- Let your doctor know if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements or herbal products.
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 they 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:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionInteraction of alcohol with Acetylcysteine is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Acetylcysteine.
Pregnancy
cautionAcetylcysteine is a Category B pregnancy drug. However, it is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt 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.
Driving
safe if prescribedAcetylcysteine usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
consult your doctorPlease consult a doctor if you have any concerns regarding the use of Acetylcysteine in patients with liver problems.
Kidney
consult your doctorPlease consult a doctor if you have any concerns regarding the use of Acetylcysteine in patients with kidney problems.
Children
cautionAcetylcysteine is not recommended for children below 14 years of age. Please consult a doctor before giving Acetylcysteine to children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid dairy products such as milk, as they may increase mucus production. Also, avoid processed or refined foods to relieve a cough.
- 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 a dry throat while you have a cough.
- Avoid citrus fruits as they 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 a dry, irritating cough, hoarseness in laryngitis (swelling of the voice box), or a burning sensation in the chest due to bronchitis (swelling of the lining of the 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 is used to treat respiratory diseases associated with excessive mucus.
Acetylcysteine contains Acetylcysteine that belongs to the class of mucolytic agents (cough/sputum thinner). It works by thinning and loosening phlegm (mucus) in the 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 they 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 at least 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 your 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.
The side effects of Acetylcysteine include fever, nausea, vomiting, and stomach upset. Consult your doctor if they persist or worsen.
Acetylcysteine is given to pregnant and breastfeeding women only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks. Therefore, please consult a doctor before taking Acetylcysteine.
You are advised not to take cough syrups that suppress the cough while taking Acetylcysteine, as it may interfere with the action of Acetylcysteine. Do not start taking cough syrups without consulting your doctor. Speak with your doctor, who will recommend an effective cough medication that increases the sputum or expectoration.
If you miss a dose of Acetylcysteine, do not worry. Take it as soon as you remember. But, if it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Available Medicines for
Acetylcysteine
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