Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: ACETYLCYSTEINE (a-se-teel-SIS-teen)
This medicine, when inhaled by mouth, is a mucolytic used to thin mucus secretions in the lungs and bronchial tubes making breathing easier. Also, this medicine, when swallowed, is used as an antidote to acetaminophen overdose. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including breathing disorders, digestive system problems (peptic ulcer disease, esophageal varices), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. WHEN USED TO THIN MUCUS, this medicine is inhaled into the lungs using a nebulizer. A healthcare professional will demonstrate the proper way to use the nebulizer. Be sure to only use the nebulizer recommended by your doctor. IF THIS MEDICINE IS USED with a face mask, it may cause stickiness on your face. Remove the stickiness by washing your face with water after using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CHANGE COLOR in the opened bottle. This is harmless. STORE UNOPENED VIALS OF THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), away from heat and light. Store opened vials of undiluted medicine in the refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C) for up to 96 hours (4 days). Throw away any opened bottles of this medicine after 96 hours (4 days). IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE AND YOU ARE USING IT REGULARLY to thin mucus, use it as soon as possible and then go back to your regular dosing schedule. FOR ACETAMINOPHEN OVERDOSE: When this medicine is swallowed by mouth for acetaminophen overdose, take exactly as directed. It is generally used every 4 hours. Diluted solutions to be swallowed should be used within 1 hour of preparation. If you are using this medicine to treat acetaminophen overdose and YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, contact your doctor immediately.
If you are using this medicine to thin mucus and your breathing does not improve or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor as soon as possible. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol, may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. This medicine may initially produce a slight disagreeable odor that soon disappears. This is harmless. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take this medicine more often than prescribed. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE TO THIN MUCUS, side effects that may go away during treatment include mouth or tongue irritation, clamminess, fever, nausea, vomiting, runny nose, or unpleasant odor. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience rash, mouth sores, or breathing trouble. WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE TO TREAT ACETAMINOPHEN OVERDOSE, it may cause drowsiness and/or cause or worsen nausea and vomiting. Diluted solutions of this medicine may help lessen these effects. Consult the pharmacist for instructions on the proper dilution of acetylcysteine. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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