Other names used: • Mucomyst
• Mucomyst-10
• Mucosil
What is it used for?
Acetylcysteine is indicated as adjuvant therapy for patients with abnormal, viscid, or inspissated mucous secretions in such conditions as:
• Chronic bronchopulmonary disease (chronic emphysema, emphysema with bronchitis, chronic asthmatic bronchitis, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis and primary amyloidosis of the lung)
• Acute bronchopulmonary disease (pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheobronchitis)
• Pulmonary complications of cystic fibrosis
• Tracheostomy care
• Pulmonary complications associated with surgery
• Use during anesthesia
• Post-traumatic chest conditions
• Atelectasis due to mucous obstruction
• Diagnostic bronchial studies (bronchograms, bronchospirometry, and bronchial wedge catheterization)
Contraindications and cautions:
Acetylcysteine is contraindicated in those patients who are sensitive to it.
Side effects:
Adverse effects have included stomatitis, nausea, vomiting, fever, rhinorrhea, drowsiness, clamminess, chest tightness, and bronchoconstriction. Clinically overt Acetylcysteine induced bronchospasm occurs infrequently and unpredictably even in patients with asthmatic bronchitis or bronchitis complicating bronchial asthma.
Acquired sensitization to Acetylcysteine has been reported rarely. Reports of sensitization in patients have not been confirmed by patch testing. Sensitization has been confirmed in several inhalation therapists who reported a history of dermal eruptions after frequent and extended exposure to Acetylcysteine.
Reports of irritation to the tracheal and bronchial tracts have been received and although hemoptysis has occurred in patients receiving Acetylcysteine such findings are not uncommon in patients with bronchopulmonary disease and a causal relationship has not been established.
Interactions: Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines and terbinafine may interfere with each other. Drug stability and safety of Acetylcysteine when mixed with other drugs in a nebulizer have not been established.
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