ACETYLCYSTEINE (Inhalation)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
- Mucomyst
- Mucomyst-10
- Mucosil
In Canada?
Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
Another commonly used name is N-acetylcysteine.
Category
- Mucolytic; diagnostic aid (bronchial studies)
Description
Acetylcysteine (a-se-teel-SIS-teen) is a mucolytic (medicine that destroys or dissolves mucus).It is usually given by inhalation but may be given in other ways in a hospital.
Acetylcysteine is used for certain lung conditions when increased amountsof mucus make breathing difficult. Acetylcysteine liquefies (thins) or dissolvesmucus so that it may be coughed up. Sometimes the mucus may have to be removedby suction.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage form:
Inhalation- Solution (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For acetylcysteine,the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to acetylcysteine. Also tell your health care professionalif you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,or dyes.
Pregnancy?Acetylcysteine has not been studied in pregnant women.However, acetylcysteine has not been shown to cause birth defects or otherproblems in animal studies when given in doses larger than the recommendedhuman dose.
Breast-feeding?It is not known whether acetylcysteine passes intothe breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are takingthis medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children?Although there is no specific information comparinguse of acetylcysteine in children with use in other age groups, this medicineis not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children thanit does in adults.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof acetylcysteine in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medical problems?The presence of other medical problems may affectthe use of acetylcysteine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have anyother medical problems, especially:
- Asthma?Acetylcysteine may make the condition worse
- Decreased ability to cough?The mucus may have to be removedby suctioning
Proper Use of This Medicine
Use acetylcysteine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do notuse it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chanceof side effects.
If you are using this medicine at home, make sure you understand exactlyhow to use it. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
After using acetylcysteine, try to cough up the loosened or thinned mucus.If this does not work, it may have to be suctioned out. This will preventtoo much mucus from building up in the lungs. If you have any questions aboutthis, check with your doctor.
Dosing?The dose of acetylcysteine will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of acetylcysteine. If your dose isdifferent, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of solution that you use depends on the strength of the medicineand the method of inhalation used. Also, the number ofdoses you use each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length oftime you use the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you areusing acetylcysteine.
- For inhalation dosage form (solution):
- To thin or dissolve mucus in lung diseases:
- Adults and children?
- 3 to 5 milliliters (mL) of a 20% solution or 6 to 10 mL of a 10%solution used in a nebulizer three or four times a day. The medicine is inhaledthrough a face mask, mouthpiece, or tracheostomy.
- The 10 or 20% solution may be used for inhalation as a heavy mistin a tent or croupette.
- Sometimes the 10 or 20% solution is placed directly into the tracheaor through a catheter into the trachea for certain conditions.
- For use in tests to diagnose lung problems:
- Adults and children?1 to 2 mL of a 20% solution or 2 to 4 mLof a 10% solution used for inhalation or placed directly into the tracheatwo or three times before the test.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it assoon as possible. Then use any remaining doses for that day at regularly spacedintervals.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Before the container is opened, store it away from heat and directlight.
- After the container is opened, store it in the refrigerator. However,keep the medicine from freezing. The opened container should be discardedafter 4 days.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
If your condition does not improve or if it becomes worse, checkwith your doctor.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following sideeffects occur:
Other side effects may occurthat usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go awayduring treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check withyour doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
For patients using a facemask for inhalation of acetylcysteine:
- The mask may leave a stickiness on your face. This can be removedwith water.
When you use acetylcysteine, you may notice that the medicine has an unpleasantodor at first. However, this smell will go away soon after you use the medicine.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur insome patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Revised: 05/14/1997
