Acetylcysteine

Chemical formula: C₅H₉NO₃S Molecular mass: 163.195 g/mol PubChem compound: 12035

Therapeutic indications

Acetylcysteine is indicated for:

Liquefaction of secretions in bronchitis, emphysema, tracheobronchitis, chronic asthmatic bronchitis

Population group: only adolescents (12 years - 18 years old) , adults (18 years old or older)

Acetylcysteine is indicated for liquefying mucous secretions in the respiratory tract in cases of acute and chronic bronchopulmonary disease (bronchitis, emphysema, tracheobronchitis, chronic asthmatic bronchitis). Mucolytic adjuvant in the therapy of respiratory disorders associated with thick, viscous, mucus hypersecretion.

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments (click for details):

200 mg 3 times a day

Treatment of paracetamol overdose

N-acetylcysteine is indicated for the treatment of paracetamol overdose in patients:

who have taken a staggered overdose irrespective of plasma paracetamol level. Staggered is defined as an overdose where the paracetamol was ingested over a period of 1 hour or more; or
where there is any doubt over the time of the overdose, irrespective of plasma paracetamol level; or
who present with a plasma paracetamol level on or above a line joining points of 100mg/L at 4h and 15mg/L at 15h.

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments (click for details):

Initially 140 mg/kg and then 70 mg/kg/24h for 72 hours

Initial loading dose of 150 mg/kg over 1 hour and 50 mg/kg over the next 4 hours

Liquefaction of secretions in bronchitis, emphysema, tracheobronchitis, chronic asthmatic bronchitis

Population group: only children (1 year - 12 years old)

Acetylcysteine is indicated for liquefying mucous secretions in the respiratory tract in cases of acute and chronic bronchopulmonary disease (bronchitis, emphysema, tracheobronchitis, chronic asthmatic bronchitis). Mucolytic adjuvant in the therapy of respiratory disorders associated with thick, viscous, mucus hypersecretion.

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments (click for details):

200 mg 2 or 3 times a day

Liquefaction of secretions in bronchitis, emphysema, tracheobronchitis, chronic asthmatic bronchitis

Population group: only infants (40 days - 1 year old)

Acetylcysteine is indicated for liquefying mucous secretions in the respiratory tract in cases of acute and chronic bronchopulmonary disease (bronchitis, emphysema, tracheobronchitis, chronic asthmatic bronchitis). Mucolytic adjuvant in the therapy of respiratory disorders associated with thick, viscous, mucus hypersecretion.

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments (click for details):

200 mg a day

Dry eyes

Suitable for the relief of dry eye syndromes associated with deficient tear secretion, impaired or abnormal mucus production.

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments (click for details):

1 or 2 drops - 3 or 4 times daily

Deficient tear secretion

Population group: only adults (18 - 65 years old)

Acetylcysteine is suitable for the relief of dry eye syndromes associated with deficient tear secretion, impaired or abnormal mucus production.

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments (click for details):

3-8 drops in 3-4 divided doses daily

Contraindications

Acetylcysteine is contraindicated in the following cases:

Antitussives

at least one of

Cough suppressants, excl. combinations with expectorants
Atropine

Exacerbation of severe persistent asthma

Exacerbation of severe persistent asthma

Chronic gastroduodenal ulcer

Gastrointestinal ulcer

Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Lactation

Lactation

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