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Acetylcysteine - Learn about Acetylcysteine Side Effects and Precautions

Acetylcysteine Information

The pharmacology action of Acetylcysteine is decreases thickness of mucous secretions in lung.

Acetylcysteine is used in reduction of viscosity of bronchopulmonary mucous secretions in patients with chronic or acute lung diseases, pulmonary complications associated with cystic fibrosis, surgery, anesthesia, or atelectasis caused by mucous obstruction; diagnostic bronchial studies; tracheostomy care, posttraumatic chest conditions (oral solution); prevention or lessening of liver damage after potentially toxic quantity of acetaminophen (oral or IV).

Interaction and Contraindication of Acetylcysteine

Interaction of Acetylcysteine - Do not mix with tetracycline, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, erythromycin lactobionate, amphotericin B, ampicillin sodium, iodized oil, chymotrypsin, trypsin, or hydrogen peroxide.
Contraindication of Acetylcysteine - Not available

Side Effects of Acetylcysteine

Here are the list of some common side effects of Acetylcysteine :

• Tachycardia, hypotension, hypertension, chest tightness (oral); tachycardia, chest tightness (greater than 1%; IV).
• Rash, pruritus, angioedema (oral); pruritus, rash, flushing (greater than 1%; IV).
• Rhinorrhea (oral); ear pain, pharyngitis, throat tightness (greater than 1%; IV).
• Nausea, vomiting, stomatitis (oral); nausea, vomiting (greater than 1%; IV).
• Bronchospasm, bronchial irritation (oral); rhinorrhea, rhonchi (greater than 1%; IV).
• Fever, clamminess (oral).
  

Precaution and Warning while taking Acetylcysteine

The precaution and warnings of Acetylcysteine drug is as follows:

• Advise patient or caregiver that medication has a disagreeable odor (rotten eggs) but that this should become unnoticeable after continued use.
• Advise patient or caregiver that treatment is expected to increase volume of respiratory secretions and that effective coughing will be required to clear the secretions. Advise patient or caregiver to immediately notify health care provider if respiratory secretions cannot be adequately removed by coughing.
• Advise patient or caregiver that administration using face mask may leave a sticky residue on the face that can be easily removed by washing with water.
• Advise patient that medication may turn a light purple color after opening bottle. Advise patient that this is normal and does not alter the safety or effectiveness of the medication.
• Caution patient or caregiver to dilute the nebulizer solution with sterile water for injection to prevent the solution from becoming concentrated and plugging the nebulizer.
• Caution patient or caregiver not to add other medications or solutions to nebulizer canister unless advised by health care provider.
• Advise patient or caregiver to notify health care provider if any of the following occur: rash or other signs or allergic reaction, new or worsening wheezing, chest tightness or difficulty breathing, persistent nausea or vomiting, coughing up blood, fever, or other signs of respiratory infection.
• Advise women to notify health care provider if pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• Instruct patient not to take any prescription or OTC medications, dietary supplements, or herbal preparations unless advised by health care provider.
• Advise patient that follow-up visits will be required to monitor therapy and to keep appointments.

How to store Acetylcysteine

• For inhalation or direct instillation into bronchial tree. Not for parenteral administration.
• The 10% solution may be used undiluted.
• The 20% solution may be diluted to a lesser concentration using sodium chloride for injection or inhalation, or sterile water for injection or inhalation.
• When using nebulizer, administer prescribed dose q 2 to 6 hr by mouthpiece, facemask, or tracheostomy, as ordered by health care provider.
• When using nebulization tent or croupette, use enough volume of acetylcysteine to maintain a heavy mist in the tent or croupette for the prescribed length of therapy (eg, overnight).
• When administering directly into bronchial tree, prescribed dose may be used q 1 to 4 hr.