ACC 200 Sachet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

ACC 200 Sachet contains acetylcysteine (N-acetylcysteine), a mucolytic medicine that thins thick mucus in the airways. It is dissolved in water and drunk, and is used for conditions such as bronchitis and cystic fibrosis where mucus is thick and hard to clear. The usual adult dose is 200 mg three times a day, and it is not recommended for use under 18 years of age.

What is ACC 200 Sachet

ACC 200 is a powder that you dissolve in water and drink. It contains acetylcysteine, a medicine that thins thick mucus in the airways so it is easier to cough up.

ACC 200 Sachet uses

• Loosening thick mucus (phlegm) in the airways
• Treating respiratory conditions with thick mucus, such as acute and chronic bronchitis
• Treating cystic fibrosis (mucoviscidosis)

Benefits of ACC 200 Sachet

• Makes thick, sticky mucus thinner so it can be coughed up more easily
• May reduce the number of flare-ups in people with COPD who have a lot of phlegm

How ACC 200 Sachet works

The medicine breaks apart the chemical bonds that hold mucus proteins together in a tight network. This loosens the mucus so it becomes thinner and easier to cough up.

ACC 200 Sachet dosage

Dissolve the powder completely in a glass of water and drink the whole glass. Take it after meals. Leave at least two hours between this medicine and antibiotics taken by mouth. Do not take it together with cough suppressant medicines unless your doctor has told you to. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but do not take a double dose to make up for it. Do not use continuously for more than 14 days without talking to a doctor.

Available forms and strengths

• Granules
• Powder/sachet for oral solution
• Dispersible tablets
• Capsules
• Syrup/oral solution

Side effects of ACC 200 Sachet

Common

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Headache
• Ringing or buzzing in the ears
• Rash, itching or hives
• Fever
• Sores inside the mouth

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction with swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Anaphylactic shock
• Fast or changed heartbeat
• Low blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing or fast breathing, including bronchospasm (airway spasm) especially in people with asthma
• Severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, with blisters, mouth/eye involvement and fever
• Bleeding or reduced ability of blood to clot

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to acetylcysteine or any of its ingredients.
• Do not give this medicine to children under 2 years old, because loosened mucus can block their narrow airways instead of clearing them.
• Do not take this medicine if you have an active stomach ulcer, and use extra caution if you have a history of ulcers.
• Use extra caution if you have asthma, because this medicine can trigger a spasm of the airways (bronchospasm). Stop the medicine right away if this happens.
• Do not take this medicine at the same time as cough suppressant medicines, because loosened mucus that cannot be coughed up may build up and block the airways.
• Leave at least two hours between taking this medicine and taking antibiotics by mouth, because it may reduce how well some antibiotics work.
• If you have an existing or past stomach or duodenal ulcer, or if you have histamine intolerance, use this medicine only with caution, as it can cause symptoms like headache, runny nose or itching.
• Do not use continuously for more than 14 days without consulting a doctor.
• If you are unable to cough up the loosened mucus, you must see a doctor so it can be removed safely, since the volume of mucus can increase especially at the start of treatment.
• Safety during pregnancy has not been established, and one version of this product's information says it should not be used during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor before taking it if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional for advice before taking it while breastfeeding.
• If your liver does not work normally, the medicine stays in your body longer, so you should discuss use with a doctor first.
• There is no specific known interaction with alcohol, but drinking alcohol is not helpful while you have an infection.
• This medicine is not known to affect your ability to drive or use machines.

Storage

• Store at or below 25°C in a cool dry place
• Protect from light
• Store all medicines out of reach of children
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the container
• Return unused medicine to your pharmacist
• Do not dispose of unused medicine in drains or sewerage systems (e.g. toilets)

When to see a doctor

• Stop the medicine and get urgent medical help if you have swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, trouble swallowing or breathing, or a widespread rash — these can be signs of a severe allergic reaction.
• Get urgent medical help if you notice a faster or irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, or difficulty breathing or fast breathing.
• Stop the medicine and see a doctor immediately if you develop a rash along with high fever, skin redness, joint pain, eye infection, or blisters/peeling skin — these can be signs of rare but serious skin reactions.
• See a doctor if your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 14 days of treatment.
• If you have taken too much of this medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist, or the nearest hospital or poison control center if neither is available.

Alternatives

• Mucolator
• Fluimucil
• Mucomix