Acetylcysteine (Acetylcysteine)
Overview of 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.
Indication of Acetylcysteine
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 of Acetylcysteine
No data regarding the contra indications of Acetylcysteine is available.
Side Effects of Acetylcysteine
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.
Precautions of Acetylcysteine
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.