Acetylcysteine is a drug used to treat several lung problems and also as an antidote to acetaminophen overdose.
This drug is included in the mucolytic group, which works by reducing the thickness of mucus in the respiratory tract, making it easier to remove and helping breathing become smoother. In addition, this drug also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Acetylcysteine is available in three forms, namely inhalation solution, injection solution, and effervescent tablets that dissolve in water.
- Class: Hard drugs.
- Category: Mucolytic.
- Used by: Adults and children.
- Acetylcysteine for pregnancy: Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medication should only be used if the benefits outweigh the risks.
- Acetylcysteine for breastfeeding: Acetylcysteine passes into breast milk and may cause side effects in a breastfed infant. Talk to your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
- Drug forms: Solution for inhalation, solution for injection, and effervescent tablets that dissolve in water.
Benefits of Acetylcysteine
There are several benefits of the drug acetylcysteine , including:
1. Respiratory disorders
Acetylcysteine is useful for helping to break up thick, sticky mucus, which can build up in the respiratory tract. Therefore, this drug is often used to treat various respiratory disorders.
Diseases that can be treated with acetylcysteine include bronchitis , pneumonia, emphysema, asthma , cystic fibrosis, and tuberculosis. By thinning and breaking up accumulated mucus, acetylcysteine makes it easier to expel mucus and helps clear the respiratory tract. As a result, this drug can relieve symptoms and improve breathing quality for patients with these conditions.
2. Antidote to paracetamol overdose
Another benefit of acetylcysteine is to help prevent or reduce liver damage from consuming large amounts of paracetamol. However, not all forms of acetylcysteine are effective as an antidote for paracetamol overdose. Therefore, it is very important not to try to treat a paracetamol overdose without proper medical advice.
In addition to the two benefits above, doctors may also prescribe this drug for other conditions.
Research on Acetylcysteine Drug
One of the benefits of acetylcysteine is to treat respiratory disorders. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the diseases that uses acetylcysteine to treat it. This disease is classified as dangerous because it has a high mortality rate.
Research published in the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institutes Journal entitled N-Acetylcysteine (NAC): Impacts on Human Health (2021), states that acetylcysteine can be an effective therapeutic source. It works by inhibiting oxidation and restoring redox balance in patients with IPF.
However, in its use for the treatment of respiratory disorders, patients need to consult a doctor to get the right dosage and rules of use. The goal is to avoid the risk of side effects.
Warnings Before Using Acetylcysteine
Please note the following points before using acetylcysteine:
- Avoid using this drug if you have hypersensitivity or allergy to acetylcysteine and similar drugs.
- Avoid use in patients with acute asthma.
- After inhaling acetylcysteine, you may experience an increased risk of wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. Make sure someone is with you when using this medication.
- Tell your doctor about your medical history, including if you have stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding or bleeding in the esophagus, high blood pressure or are on a low-salt diet, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease.
- After use, there may be an increase in the volume of bronchial secretions. If coughing is ineffective, the airway may need to be opened by mechanical aspiration.
- If there is obstruction due to a foreign body or accumulation, clear the airway with endotracheal aspiration, with or without bronchoscopy.
- Consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
