Acetylcysteine Sachet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Acetylcysteine Sachet contains acetylcysteine 200 mg and belongs to a group of medicines called mucolytics. The powder is mixed with water to make a drink and is used to treat breathing difficulties caused by too much mucus, or mucus that is too thick and sticky to cough up easily. It works by thinning mucus in the lungs and airways so it can be coughed up more easily. It is not recommended for children under 12 years.

What is Acetylcysteine Sachet

Acetylcysteine 200 mg Powder is a medicine that comes in a sachet. You mix the powder with water to make a drink. It belongs to a group of medicines called mucolytics.

Acetylcysteine Sachet uses

• Treats breathing difficulties caused by too much mucus in the lungs and airways, or mucus that is too thick and sticky to cough up easily

Benefits of Acetylcysteine Sachet

• Helps thin mucus so it can be coughed up more easily

How Acetylcysteine Sachet works

Acetylcysteine works by thinning the mucus (phlegm) in your lungs and airways so it can be coughed up more easily.

Acetylcysteine Sachet dosage

Take this medicine exactly as your doctor, nurse or pharmacist has told you. Empty the sachet contents into a small amount of water in a glass and stir until it dissolves completely, just before drinking. It is important to drink all of the mixture. Drink plenty of fluids, as this supports the mucolytic effect of the medicine.

Do not use in children under the age of 12 years. If this applies to you, take this medicine either two hours before or two hours after taking certain antibiotics, since taking them together can stop the antibiotic from working properly.

If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember; but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Available forms and strengths

• Powder for oral solution (sachet), 200 mg

Side effects of Acetylcysteine Sachet

Common

• Headache
• Ringing sound in the ears (tinnitus)
• Fast heart rate
• Feeling or being sick
• Diarrhoea
• Inflammation of the skin in your mouth and on your lips
• Pain in your abdomen (tummy)
• An itchy raised rash
• Swelling of the deeper layers of skin, caused by a build up of fluid
• Itchy skin
• Fever
• Low blood pressure, which could cause dizziness when standing up quickly
• Tightness of your airways
• Shortness of breath
• Indigestion

Serious

• Severe, life-threatening allergic reaction with rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of lips, face, throat or tongue
• Severe bleeding (haemorrhaging)
• Blistering, peeling, bleeding, scaling, or fluid filled patches on the skin, lips, eyes, mouth, nose, genitals, hands or feet
• Swelling of the face

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to acetylcysteine, similar medicines such as carbocisteine, erdosteine or mecysteine, or any of the other ingredients.
• Do not take this medicine if you have a genetic condition called phenylketonuria, where you cannot break down a substance called phenylalanine.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you have asthma, as you may need to be monitored closely.
• If you have a reduced ability or inability to cough before starting this medicine, your doctor may need to remove mucus by suction after it has been loosened.
• Tell your doctor if you are due to have blood or urine tests, as this medicine can interfere with some laboratory tests.
• Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you have a history of peptic ulcers.
• Taking this medicine for a long time can affect how histamine is broken down in the body. Tell your doctor if you notice headache, a stuffy or runny nose, or itchy skin.
• The powder may smell of sulphur (rotten eggs) when the sachet is opened. This is normal and does not mean the medicine is unsafe.
• This medicine contains sorbitol. Talk to your doctor before taking it if you have an intolerance to some sugars or hereditary fructose intolerance.
• This medicine contains aspartame, a source of phenylalanine, which may be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
• This medicine contains Sunset yellow, a food colouring that may cause allergic reactions.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking cough medicines, activated charcoal, certain antibiotics, angina medicines like glyceryl trinitrate, or carbamazepine, as these can interact with this medicine.
• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
• No routine kidney-specific adjustment is established for standard mucolytic use, but significant kidney disease warrants medical review. Significant liver disease should be discussed with a clinician.
• There are no special requirements to consider when taking this medicine with food, drink or alcohol.
• This medicine should not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. If you get side effects that may affect these abilities, do not drive or operate machinery until the effects have completely gone.

Storage

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
• Store in the original package to protect from moisture
• Once the contents of the sachet have been dissolved in water use this medicinal product immediately. Do not store the solution
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the sachet and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use

When to see a doctor

• Stop taking this medicine and get medical advice straight away if you have a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction with rash, swallowing or breathing problems, or swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.
• Stop taking this medicine and get medical advice straight away if you have severe bleeding (haemorrhaging).
• Stop taking this medicine and get medical advice straight away if you have blistering, peeling, bleeding, scaling, or fluid-filled patches on your skin, lips, eyes, mouth, nose, genitals, hands or feet.
• If you accidentally take more of this medicine than prescribed, contact your doctor or get medical advice immediately. Take the sachets, box and leaflet with you if possible.

Alternatives

• Carbocisteine
• Bromhexine
• Ambroxol
• Erdosteine