Generic Name: acetylcysteine (inhalation) (a SEET il SIS teen)
Brand names: Mucomyst-10, ...show all 9 brand names.
What is acetylcysteine?
Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic (myoo-koe-LIT-ik) drug that breaks down mucus, the substance that lubricates many parts of the body such as the mouth, throat, and lungs.
Acetylcysteine is used to thin the mucus in people with certain lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis, emphysema, bronchitis, tuberculosis. Acetylcysteine is also used during surgery or anesthesia, and to prepare the throat or lungs for a medical test.
Acetylcysteine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about acetylcysteine?
Do not use acetylcysteine at home if you do not fully understand all instructions that are specific to your use of this medication. Use only the inhaler device provided with your medicine or you may not get the correct dose.
Acetylcysteine solution can be inhaled directly from the nebulizer, or with a face mask, mouth piece, tent, or intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) machine.
Do not mix your dose of acetylcysteine until you are ready to use the medication. Diluted acetylcysteine must be used within 1 hour of mixing.
Acetylcysteine liquid may change color once you have opened the bottle. This is caused by a chemical reaction and will not affect the medicine.
You may sense an unusual or unpleasant smell while using acetylcysteine.
Other side effects may include sticky feeling around the nebulizer mask, white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips, nausea, fever, runny nose, sore throat, drowsiness, skin rash, or clammy skin.
There may be other drugs that can affect acetylcysteine, or that should not be used in the same nebulizer. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking acetylcysteine?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to acetylcysteine.
Before using acetylcysteine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have asthma. You may not be able to use acetylcysteine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether acetylcysteine inhalation passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take acetylcysteine?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.
Acetylcysteine liquid may change color once you have opened the bottle. This is caused by a chemical reaction and will not affect the medicine.
Do not use acetylcysteine at home if you do not fully understand all instructions that are specific to your use of this medication. Use only the inhaler device provided with your medicine or you may not get the correct dose.
Do not mix your dose of acetylcysteine until you are ready to use the medication. Diluted acetylcysteine must be used within 1 hour of mixing.
Acetylcysteine solution can be inhaled directly from the nebulizer, or with a face mask, mouth piece, tent, or intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) machine.
The Mucomyst brand of acetylcysteine should not be placed directly in a heated nebulizer.
Clean your nebulizer right after each use. The residue from acetylcysteine can clog the parts of the nebulizer.
Store an unopened vial (bottle) of acetylcysteine at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Diluted acetylcystine may also be stored in a refrigerator, but you must use it within 96 hours (4 days) after mixing. Do not allow the medication to freeze.
See also: Acetylcysteine dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medication as soon as you remember the missed dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of an acetylcysteine overdose are not known.
What should I avoid while taking acetylcysteine?
Do not mix other medicines in a nebulizer with acetylcysteine, unless your doctor has told you to.
Acetylcysteine side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using acetylcysteine and call your doctor at once if you have chest tightness or trouble breathing.
Less serious side effects of acetylcysteine include:
unusual or unpleasant smell while using the medication;
sticky feeling around the nebulizer mask;
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
nausea, vomiting;
fever;
runny nose, sore throat;
drowsiness; or
skin rash or clammy feeling.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Acetylcysteine Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Acetaminophen Overdose:
Give within 24 hours of suspected or known acetaminophen overdose:
Oral:
Loading Dose: 140 mg/kg actual body weight (1.4 mL/kg of a 10% solution) orally, (minimum 4 grams; maximum 15 grams) orally once as a loading dose, followed by,
Maintenance Dose: 70 mg/kg actual body weight (0.7 mL/kg of a 10% solution) orally 4 hours after the loading dose and every 4 hours for 17 total maintenance doses or unless repeated acetaminophen assays reveal nontoxic levels. If the patient vomits the loading dose or any maintenance dose within 1 hour of administration, repeat doses are recommended.
Intravenous:
Loading Dose: 150 mg/kg in 200 mL of 5% dextrose intravenously over 60 minutes (maximum: 15 g).
Second Dose: 50 mg/kg in 500 mL 5% dextrose intravenously over 4 hours (maximum: 5 g). Third Dose: 100 mg/kg in 1000 mL of 5% dextrose intravenously over 16 hours (maximum: 10 g.
Acetylcysteine is most useful within 24 hours of acetaminophen ingestion. Knowledge of acetaminophen levels are not required prior to giving this potentially lifesaving drug. If the first acetaminophen level is in the toxic range, the entire course of acetylcysteine is recommended.
If the intravenous product is not available and the patient is unable to tolerate oral administration, the Rocky Mountain Poison Center can be contacted at 1.800.525.6115 for information on the protocol and preparation of IV acetylcysteine.
Usual Adult Dose for Mucolytic:
5 to 10 mL of a 10% or 20% solution by nebulizer every 4 to 6 hours,
- or-
1 to 2 mL of a 10% or 20% solution directly instilled into a tracheostomy as often as every hour,
- or-
2 to 4 mL of a 10% solution or 1 to 2 mL of a 20% solution intratracheally every 1 to 4 hours.
Usual Adult Dose for Diagnostic Bronchograms:
to decrease bronchopulmonary secretions prior to diagnostic bronchogram:
2 to 4 mL of a 10% solution or 1 to 2 mL of a 20% solution by nebulizer or by intratracheal instillation 2 to 3 times prior to the procedure.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Acetaminophen Overdose:
Give within 24 hours of suspected or known acetaminophen overdose:
Oral:
Loading Dose: 140 mg/kg actual body weight (1.4 mL/kg of a 10% solution) orally, (minimum 4 grams; maximum 15 grams) orally once as a loading dose.
Maintenance Dose: 70 mg/kg actual body weight (0.7 mL/kg of a 10% solution) orally 4 hours after the loading dose and every 4 hours for 17 total maintenance doses or unless repeated acetaminophen assays reveal nontoxic levels.
Intravenous:
Loading Dose: 150 mg/kg in 200 mL of 5% dextrose intravenously over 60 minutes (maximum: 15 g).
Second Dose: 50 mg/kg in 500 mL 5% dextrose intravenously over 4 hours (maximum: 5 g). Third Dose: 100 mg/kg in 1000 mL of 5% dextrose intravenously over 16 hours (maximum: 10 g).
Acetylcysteine is most useful within 24 hours of acetaminophen ingestion. Knowledge of acetaminophen levels are not required prior to giving this potentially lifesaving drug. If the first acetaminophen level is in the toxic range, the entire course of acetylcysteine is recommended.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Mucolytic:
1 month to 11 months:
2 to 4 mL of a 10% solution or 1 to 2 mL of a 20% solution by nebulizer three or four times a day.
1 year to 11 years:
6 to 10 mL of a 10% solution or 3 to 5 mL of a 20% solution by nebulizer three to four times a day,
12 years or older:
5 to 10 mL of a 10% or 20% solution by nebulizer three to four times a day,
- or-
1 to 2 mL of a 10% or 20% solution directly instilled into a tracheostomy as often as every hour,
- or-
2 to 4 mL of a 10% solution or 1 to 2 mL of a 20% solution intratracheally every 1 to 4 hours.
What other drugs will affect acetylcysteine?
There may be other drugs that can affect acetylcysteine, or that should not be used in the same nebulizer. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
More acetylcysteine resources
- Acetylcysteine Side Effects (in more detail)
- Acetylcysteine Dosage
- Acetylcysteine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Acetylcysteine Drug Interactions
- Acetylcysteine Support Group
- 4 Reviews for Acetylcysteine - Add your own review/rating
Compare acetylcysteine with other medications
- Acetaminophen Overdose
- Diagnostic Bronchograms
- Expectoration
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist has information about acetylcysteine written for health professionals that you may read.
See also: acetylcysteine side effects (in more detail)
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