Acetylcysteine is an expectorant medicine that helps to eliminate the secretions produced in the lungs, making them more liquid, which facilitates their elimination of the respiratory tract and improves breathing. It also works as an antidote to the liver caused by paracetamol in exaggeration, regenerating stocks of a substance vital to normal liver function, glutathione.
This medicine is sold commercially as Fluimucil, Flucistein and Cetilplex, for example, should only be used under medical indication and can be found in the form of a tablet, syrup or granules.
Indications
Acetylcysteine is indicated for the treatment of the following diseases: acute bronchitis; chronic bronchitis; smoking bronchitis; pulmonary emphysema; bronchopneumonia; pulmonary abscess; atelectasis; mucoviscidosis or accidental or voluntary intoxication by paracetamol.
Price
The price of acetylcysteine ranges from $ 8 to $ 68, depending on the region where it is purchased and its form of presentation.
How to use
In infants and children: Pediatric syrup 20 mg / mL or granules 100 mg.
- Up to 3 months: 20 mg (1 mL), 3 times daily
- 3 to 6 months: 50 mg (2.5 mL), 2 times daily
- 6 to 12 months: 50 mg (2.5 mL), 3 times daily
- 1 to 4 years: 100 mg (5 ml or 1 envelope of granules), 2 to 3 times daily or at medical discretion
- Over 4 years: 100 mg (5 ml or 1 envelope of granules), 3 to 4 times daily or at medical discretion
Adolescents and adults: Adult syrup, granules, or effervescent tablet generally take 600 mg daily or as follows:
- Syrup 40 mg / mL: 600 mg (15 mL) once daily, preferably at night
- Granulate 200 mg: (1 envelope) 3 times daily
- Granule D 600 mg: (1 envelope) once daily, preferably at night
- Effervescent tablet: 600 mg (1 tablet) once daily, preferably at night
Main side effects
The most common effects are nausea; vomiting; diarrhea and gastrointestinal irritation.
Contraindications
This medicine should not be used during pregnancy because it can affect the baby during breastfeeding because it passes through the breast milk and in case of gastroduodenal ulcer.
