Acetylcysteine
Acetylcysteine Information

About Acetylcysteine

Acetylcysteine is the N-acetyl derivative of naturally occuring amino acid L-cysteine. It is a mucolytic agent and works on the lung to make the mucous thin, facilitate their removal and making breathing easier in bronchopulmonary disorders. Acetylcysteine is administered by instillation or nabulization. it is available in combination with hypermellose.

Indications

Acetylcysteine is primarily indicated in conditions like Paracetamol overdosage, Paracetamol poisoning, Viscous sputum, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Atelectasis, Cystic fibrosis, Keratoconjuctivitis sicca, Meconium ileus, Surface anaesthetic.

Contraindication

Acetylcysteine

Side Effects

Acetylcysteine produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Anaphylactoid reactions. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Acetylcysteine therapy.The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Acetylcysteine include Flushing, Nausea, Vomiting, Bronchospasm, Edema, Tachycardia.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Acetylcysteine are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Nausea, Vomiting.

Warnings

Use with caution in patients with asthma or peptic ulcer. Dilute with sterile water for injection as concentration occurs in nebulizer. A face mask may cause stickiness on face after nebulization, remove with water.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Paediatrics, Pregnant Mothers, Geriatrics, and Neonates.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.