Adjuvant therapy for patients with abnormal, viscid, or inspissated mucous secretions in chronic bronchopulmonary disease, acute bronchopulmonary disease, pulmonary complications of cystic fibrosis, tracheostomy care, pulmonary complications associated with surgery, and atelectasis due to mucous obstruction.
Also known as: Fluimucil, N-acetilcisteína, N-acetylcysteine
DailyMed approved label (Acetylcysteine Solution, Hospira; setID 5558a5f5-e821-473b-7d8a-5d33d09f0586).
DailyMed approved label (Acetylcysteine Solution, Hospira; setID 5558a5f5-e821-473b-7d8a-5d33d09f0586).
No documented drug–drug interactions for this medicine.
Alcohol may reduce glutathione levels and counteract the antioxidant effect of acetylcysteine; limit intake.
Limit alcohol intake during treatment.
DailyMed/FDA (NIH/NLM) — approved Acetylcysteine label: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5558a5f5-e821-473b-7d8a-5d33d09f0586
Acetylcysteine can be taken with or without food; taking it with food reduces gastrointestinal discomfort.
Take with food if gastric discomfort occurs.
DailyMed/FDA (NIH/NLM) — approved Acetylcysteine label: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5558a5f5-e821-473b-7d8a-5d33d09f0586
Inhaled acetylcysteine may trigger bronchospasm, especially in asthmatic patients.
Use with caution; keep a short-acting bronchodilator available.
EMC-UK (MHRA) — approved Acetylcysteine SmPC: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/2488/smpc
Data on acetylcysteine in pregnancy are limited; use only if the benefit outweighs the risk.
In paracetamol overdose in pregnancy, acetylcysteine is the antidote of choice.
Excretion into breast milk is unknown; occasional use is probably compatible.
No specific additional contraception.
EMC-UK (MHRA) — approved Acetylcysteine SmPC: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/2488/smpc
Clinical and educational support tool. The information does not replace a medical prescription or the opinion of a qualified healthcare professional.
Antioxidant and mucolytic: free thiol groups break disulfide bonds of mucus glycoproteins (direct mucolytic action); the antioxidant effect protects cells from reactive oxygen species. As a paracetamol antidote, it restores hepatic glutathione and directly conjugates the reactive metabolite NAPQI.
By inhalation, reduces bronchial secretion viscosity by breaking disulfide bonds. In paracetamol poisoning, the main mechanism is replenishment of hepatic glutathione stores and direct conjugation of the toxic metabolite, preventing hepatocellular injury.
Well absorbed orally and by inhalation. After a therapeutic oral dose, plasma peaks occur between 30 and 60 minutes; after overdose, usually within 4 hours.
Rapidly absorbed after a therapeutic oral dose (peak at 30–60 min); undergoes extensive hepatic and intestinal first-pass metabolism. The main metabolite is cysteine, a glutathione precursor; sulfate and glucuronide conjugates are excreted in the urine.
Short plasma half-life of the intact compound (rapidly metabolized); cysteine and conjugates maintain sustained levels for several hours, sustaining the glutathione-replenishing effect in poisoning treatment.
Medicines from the same therapeutic group (ATC classification) or the same pharmacological class.
