acetylcysteine
Acetylcysteine inhalation solution helps loosen mucus in your lungs so you can cough it out more easily. It's typically used for people with certain lung conditions like bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, or emphysema. You breathe the medication in through a nebulizer, usually 3 to 4 times a day. It was once sold under the brand name Mucomyst, which is no longer available. Some side effects include mouth sores, nausea, runny nose, and drowsiness.
What is Acetylcysteine?
What is Acetylcysteine used for?
- Mucus buildup caused by lung conditions like bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, and emphysema
How Acetylcysteine works
Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic, meaning it helps break down thick mucus. It works by making mucus thinner and easier to clear from your lungs.
Drug facts
Side effects of Acetylcysteine
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Coughing
- Sore throat
Less Common Side Effects
- Mouth sores
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Drowsiness
- Clamminess
- Chest tightness
Acetylcysteine serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Tightening of the airways: trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness
The following Acetylcysteine side effects have also been reported
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 may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Skin rash or other irritation
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Clammy skin
increase in amount of mucus in lungs
irritation or soreness of mouth, throat, or lungs
nausea or vomiting
For patients using a face mask for inhalation of acetylcysteine: the mask may leave a stickiness on your face. This can be removed with water.
When you use acetylcysteine, you may notice that the medicine has an unpleasant odor at first. However, this smell will go away soon after you use the medicine.
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Acetylcysteine
Pros
- Helps you cough up mucus that's stuck in your airway
- Used for a variety of lung conditions
- Starts to work quickly, within minutes to hours
Cons
- Might have a strong smell or taste
- Usually need to use multiple times a day
- Must use with a nebulizer machine
Pharmacist tips for Acetylcysteine
- In general, each treatment of acetylcysteine should take about 10-20 minutes to finish. Make sure to breathe normally through your nebulizer until all the medication is gone.
- If you're using the 10% version of acetylcysteine, you don't need to dilute it. If you're using the 20% version, your prescriber might tell you to mix it using sterile saline or sterile water. Ask your prescriber how to prepare it correctly.
- If you've prepared any diluted solution of acetylcysteine, you need to use it within 1 hour. After that, throw away any unused solution.
- Acetylcysteine has sulfur in it, which gives it a rotten egg smell. This smell is normal and doesn't mean that your medication has gone bad.
- Some medications don’t work as well when mixed with the acetylcysteine nebulizer solution. If you use other nebulized medications, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether it’s safe to take them together.
- You might notice your face mask feels sticky after using acetylcysteine. You can fix this by rinsing the mask with clean water.
- Be sure to clean your nebulizing equipment after each dose of acetylcysteine. This helps prevent clogs and keeps the equipment from wearing out.
- The acetylcysteine solution in the vial might turn light purple after opening. This is normal and doesn't affect how well the medication works or its safety.
- Store unopened vials of acetylcysteine at room temperature. Once opened, keep any leftover solution in the vial in the refrigerator and use it within 4 days. That's because the solution doesn't contain preservatives and could grow bacteria or mold after that time.
Common questions about Acetylcysteine
Acetylcysteine is generally safe when used as prescribed by your healthcare professional to help thin and loosen mucus in your airways. But like all medications, it has some important safety considerations and possible side effects. One risk is bronchospasm, or tightening of muscles in the airways. Rarely, Acetylcysteine can cause allergic reactions. Be sure to discuss all side effects and risks with your prescriber.
Low blood pressure isn't commonly reported as a side effect of Acetylcysteine. If you ever feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint after inhaling this medication, let your prescriber know right away.
Acetylcysteine usually starts working within minutes to hours after you use it. You might notice you’re coughing up more mucus shortly after treatment. This is a sign that it's working. Keep in mind that for some people, it can take longer to notice a difference.
Because there isn't enough information to know if it's safe to mix Acetylcysteine and albuterol together in a nebulizer, it's usually recommended to use them one at a time. For example, your prescriber might tell you to use albuterol 10 to 15 minutes before using Acetylcysteine. Follow your prescriber's instructions carefully on when and how to use each medication.
Unopened Acetylcysteine vials should be stored at room temperature (68°F to 77°F). Once a vial is opened, you can keep it in the refrigerator and use it within 96 hours (4 days).
While there’s no known interaction between Acetylcysteine and alcohol when the medication is used as prescribed, drinking alcohol can make side effects like nausea and vomiting worse. It’s best to check with your prescriber first to make sure it’s safe for you.
There haven't been enough studies in pregnant women to know if Acetylcysteine is safe to take during pregnancy. In animal studies, it hasn't been shown to harm unborn babies. If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your prescriber about the possible risks and benefits of using this medication
There are different types of nebulizers, and your prescriber will show you how to use your nebulizer before starting Acetylcysteine. They might ask you to mix the Acetylcysteine solution with sterile saline or sterile water before use. Once your dose is ready, add it to the medication cup that comes with your nebulizer. Attach the top piece and mouthpiece or mask, then connect the tubing between the medication cup and the nebulizer. Turn on the machine and breathe normally until all the medication is gone. If you’re unsure how to use your equipment, ask your prescriber for help.
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Risks and warnings for Acetylcysteine
Acetylcysteine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
More liquid mucus in your airways
Acetylcysteine might make you have more thin, loosened mucus in your airway, which can be hard to get rid of. If you’re unable to cough it out, your healthcare team might need to clear your airway using suction or aspiration.
Tightening of the airways
- Risk factors: Asthma
If you have asthma, use acetylcysteine carefully because it can sometimes cause bronchospasm, which is tightening of the airways. Most of the time, using a medication like albuterol given through a nebulizer to get relief. If your breathing gets worse or the bronchospasm doesn’t go away, stop using acetylcysteine right away and let your prescriber know.
Acetylcysteine dosage
Vial| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ml of 10% nebulizer solution | 3 vials | $21.65 | $7.22 |
| 10ml of 20% nebulizer solution | 3 vials | $23.38 | $7.79 |
| 30ml of 10% nebulizer solution | 1 vial | $17.89 | $17.89 |
| 4ml of 10% nebulizer solution | 25 vials | $50.89 | $2.04 |
| 4ml of 20% nebulizer solution | 25 vials | $75.10 | $3.00 |
| 30ml of 20% nebulizer solution | 3 vials | $36.46 | $12.15 |
Typical dosage for Acetylcysteine
The typical dose is 3 mL to 5 mL of the 20% solution or 6 mL to 10 mL of the 10% solution inhaled via a nebulizer 3 to 4 times a day.
Your dose might differ if you're receiving this medication in the hospital.
Interactions between Acetylcysteine and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
How much does Acetylcysteine cost?
$17.89
What are alternatives to Acetylcysteine?
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