Acetylcysteine
Brand names: ACETADOTE
Therapeutic Indications
Acetylcysteine is indicated for:
Dry eyes
No gender/age discrimination
Suitable for the relief of dry eye syndromes associated with deficient tear secretion, impaired or abnormal mucus production.
For this indication, the medical literature mentions below treatments (click for details):
Treatment 1: Conjunctival - 1 or 2 drops - 3 or 4 times daily
Treatment of paracetamol overdose
No gender/age discrimination
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, the medical literature mentions below treatments (click for details):
Treatment 1: Oral - Initially 140 mg/kg and then 70 mg/kg/24h for 72 hours
Treatment 2: Intravenous - Initial loading dose of 150 mg/kg over 1 hour and 50 mg/kg over the next 4 hours
Liquefaction of secretions, bronchitis, emphysema
Irrespective of gender 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, the medical literature mentions below treatments (click for details):
Treatment 1: Oral - 200 mg 2 or 3 times a day
Deficient tear secretion
Irrespective of gender 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, the medical literature mentions below treatments (click for details):
Treatment 1: Ophthalmic - 3-8 drops in 3-4 divided doses daily
Liquefaction of secretions, bronchitis, emphysema
Irrespective of gender 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, the medical literature mentions below treatments (click for details):
Treatment 1: Oral - 200 mg a day
Liquefaction of secretions, bronchitis, emphysema
Irrespective of gender 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, the medical literature mentions below treatments (click for details):
Treatment 1: Oral - 200 mg 3 times a day
Contraindications
Active ingredient Acetylcysteine is contraindicated in the following cases:
Chronic gastroduodenal ulcer
No gender/age discrimination
Acetylcysteine is contraindicated in chronic gastroduodenal ulcer.
Antitussives
No gender/age discrimination
Acetylcysteine should not be administered simultaneously with antitussives or with medicines atropine-like action.
Lactation
No gender/age discrimination
There is insufficient information on the excretion of acetylcysteine in human milk. A risk to the newborns/infants cannot be excluded.
Pregnancy
No gender/age discrimination
Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity. As a precautionary measure, it is preferable to avoid the use of acetylcysteine powder for oral solution during pregnancy.
Exacerbation of severe persistent asthma
No gender/age discrimination
Acetylcysteine is contraindicated in exacerbation of severe persistent asthma.