Acetylcysteine
Acetylcysteine: instructions for use and reviews
- 1. Release form and composition
- 2. Pharmacological properties
- 3. Indications for use
- 4. Contraindications
- 5. Method of application and dosage
- 6. Side effects
- 7. Overdose
- 8. Special instructions
- 9. Use in childhood
- 10. Drug interactions
- 11. Analogs
- 12. Terms and conditions of storage
- 13. Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
- 14. Reviews
- 15. Price in pharmacies
Latin name: Acetylcysteine
ATX code: R05CB01
Active ingredient: acetylcysteine (acetylcysteine)
Manufacturer: Marbiopharm (Russia)
Description and photo update: 2019-16-08
Prices in pharmacies: from 60 rubles.
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Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic drug used to treat coughs.
Release form and composition
Forms of drug release:
- Solution for inhalation (20%);
- Solution for injection (10%);
- Powder for preparation of oral solution.
The main active ingredient of the drug is acetylcysteine.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic drug that dilutes sputum, increases its volume and makes it easier to separate. Its action is due to the ability of unbound sulfhydryl groups of acetylcysteine to break inter- and intramolecular disulfide bonds of acidic mucopolysaccharides contained in sputum. This causes depolymerization of mucoproteins and a decrease in the viscosity of sputum, which in some cases provokes a significant increase in sputum volume and requires aspiration of the contents of the bronchi.
Acetylcysteine remains active in diseases accompanied by the secretion of purulent sputum, and does not affect the immune system. The drug intensifies the production of less viscous sialomucins by goblet cells, reduces the adhesion of bacterial microorganisms to epithelial cells localized in the bronchial mucosa, and also activates the mucosal cells of the bronchi, secreting secretions that lyse fibrin. The effect of the drug on the secret formed in diseases of the ENT organs of an inflammatory nature is identical.
The drug has an antioxidant effect associated with the presence of the SH-group, which neutralizes electrophilic oxidative toxins.
Acetylcysteine protects alpha1-antitrypsin, an elastase inhibitor, from the inactivating effect of the HOCI oxidant. The latter is produced by myeloperoxidase of active phagocytes.
The drug is also characterized by a certain anti-inflammatory effect due to inhibition of the formation of active oxygen-containing compounds and free radicals, which are responsible for the development of the inflammatory process in the lung tissue.
Pharmacokinetics
Acetylcysteine is highly absorbed. Its bioavailability is 10% due to the presence of a pronounced effect of the first passage through the liver. The metabolic process consists in deacetylation with the formation of cysteine. The maximum concentration of the substance in the plasma is reached within 1-3 hours after ingestion, and the degree of binding to plasma proteins is 50%.
The half-life of acetylcysteine is about 1 hour (in patients with liver cirrhosis, this figure increases to 8 hours). It is excreted in the urine as inactive metabolites (diacetylcysteine, inorganic sulfates). A small part of the administered dose is excreted unchanged in the faeces.
Acetylcysteine crosses the placental barrier and accumulates in the amniotic fluid.
Indications for use
According to the instructions, Acetylcysteine is used for respiratory diseases and conditions that are accompanied by the formation of mucopurulent and viscous sputum, including:
- Acute and chronic bronchitis;
- Tracheitis caused by a bacterial or viral infection;
- Bronchiectasis;
- Bronchial asthma;
- Sinusitis (to facilitate secretion discharge);
- Cystic fibrosis (as part of combination therapy);
- Pneumonia;
- Atelectasis caused by blockage of the bronchi by a mucous plug.
Also, the drug is indicated for post-traumatic and postoperative conditions to remove viscous secretions from the respiratory tract.
Contraindications
- Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum in the acute phase;
- Pulmonary bleeding;
- Hemoptysis;
- Hypersensitivity to the drug.
Instructions for the use of Acetylcysteine: method and dosage
Acetylcysteine is prescribed for adults and children over 6 years old at 400-600 mg per day (2-3 doses).
Children from 2 to 6 years old are recommended to take the drug at 300-400 mg per day (in 2-3 doses), up to 2 years - 200 mg per knock (in 2 doses).
Acetylcysteine in the form of a solution for injection is injected intramuscularly once a day, adults - 300 mg, children - 150 mg.
The drug for inhalation is used in 2-5 ml for 15-20 minutes.
For colds, the drug is taken for 5-7 days. In a severe course of the disease, the duration of the course of treatment is determined individually by the doctor. Treatment of bronchitis and cystic fibrosis requires a longer use of the drug.
Side effects
Side effects are rare. In some cases, the following adverse reactions are noted:
- Heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, feeling of a full stomach;
- Nosebleeds and tinnitus;
- Skin rash, itching, urticaria, bronchospasm.
When using the drug for inhalation, local irritation of the respiratory tract and reflex cough are possible, much less often - stomatitis or rhinitis.
With a shallow intramuscular injection of the drug, a slight burning sensation may appear.
Overdose
Overdose symptoms: heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. In this case, symptomatic therapy is recommended.
special instructions
The use of Acetylcysteine during pregnancy and during breastfeeding is possible only under strict indications.
With bronchial asthma and diseases of the adrenal glands, kidneys and liver, the drug should be used with extreme caution.
An interval of at least 1-2 hours should be observed between taking antibiotics and acetylcysteine.
You should not take the drug at the same time as antitussives due to suppression of the cough reflex, which can lead to stagnation of sputum.
If indicated, the drug can be used in newborns under strict medical supervision.
Influence on the ability to drive vehicles and complex mechanisms
When driving vehicles and working with complex mechanisms that require increased concentration, the drug must be used with caution.
Pediatric use
When using acetylcysteine in children with bronchial asthma, regular drainage of sputum should be ensured. In newborns, it is used only for vital indications under the strict supervision of a specialist and in a dose not exceeding 10 mg / kg.
Drug interactions
Acetylcysteine is pharmacologically incompatible with solutions of other drugs. Upon contact of the substance with metals and rubber, sulfides are formed, which have a characteristic odor.
When acetylcysteine is combined with nitroglycerin, the vasodilating effect of the latter is enhanced. Also, the drug reduces the absorption of drugs belonging to the tetracycline, cephalosporin or penicillin group (they are recommended to be taken no earlier than 2 hours after taking acetylcysteine).
Analogs
Structural analogues of Acetylcysteine are drugs ACC, Acestin, Fluimucil, Mukoneks, N-AC-ratiopharm, Vicks Active.
Storage conditions and periods
It is recommended to store the drug in a dry room at a temperature not exceeding 30 ° C.
The shelf life is 3 years.
Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
Available without a prescription.
Reviews about Acetylcysteine
There are a variety of reviews about Acetylcysteine. Many patients respond positively about it and confirm its effectiveness. However, negative opinions about the drug are also not uncommon: patients claim that the treatment did not help them at all, and they had to look for more effective means.
Price for Acetylcysteine in pharmacies
The average price for Acetylcysteine in powder form for preparation of a solution for oral administration is 108‒195 rubles (dosage 200 mg, 20 sachets are included in the package), 95‒146 rubles (dosage 600 mg, the package includes 6 в10 sachets) or 103‒ 134 rubles (dosage 100 mg, 20 sachets are included in the package). Solution for inhalation and solution for injection are currently not available for sale.
Acetylcysteine: prices in online pharmacies
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Drug name Price Pharmacy |
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Acetylcysteine Canon 100 mg granules for oral solution 3 g 20 pcs. RUB 60 Buy |
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Acetylcysteine Canon 200 mg granules for oral solution 3 g 20 pcs. RUB 70 Buy |
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Acetylcysteine Canon granules for prig solution for internal approx. 100mg 20 pcs. RUB 76 Buy |
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Acetylcysteine Canon 600 mg granules for oral solution 3 g 6 pcs. 123 r Buy |
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Acetylcysteine Canon granules for prig solution for internal approx. 200mg 20 pcs. 129 RUB Buy |
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Acetylcysteine Canon granules for prig solution for internal approx. 600mg 6 pcs. 130 RUB Buy |
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Acetylcysteine Canon 600 mg granules for oral solution 3 g 10 pcs. 134 r Buy |
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Acetylcysteine Canon granules for prig solution for internal approx. 600mg pack. 3g 10 pcs. 221 r Buy |
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Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
