What are the side effects of Mucomyst? Learn about the common, severe, and long-term side effects of this medication used to treat lung diseases and prevent liver damage from acetaminophen overdose.

Mucomyst: Uses and Administration

Mucomyst, also known as acetylcysteine, is a medication used in two primary ways. When inhaled, it helps to thin and loosen mucus in the airways, aiding in the clearance of mucus from the lungs in conditions like emphysema, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, and pneumonia. When taken orally, it is used to prevent liver damage from acetaminophen overdose.

To use Mucomyst for lung diseases, the medication is inhaled through the mouth as directed by a healthcare professional. Patients may notice a slight odor when first inhaling the medication, but this quickly dissipates. If using a face mask, there may be some stickiness on the face after use, which can be washed off with water.

For oral use in acetaminophen overdose, the Mucomyst solution is typically mixed with another liquid like cola to help decrease nausea and vomiting. The medication should be consumed within 1 hour of mixing. Patients should inform their doctor if vomiting occurs within 1 hour, as they may need to take another dose.

Common Side Effects of Mucomyst

The most commonly reported side effects of Mucomyst include nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, and a runny nose. These side effects are more likely to occur when the medication is inhaled rather than taken orally.

If these side effects persist or worsen, patients should inform their doctor or pharmacist promptly. However, it’s important to note that many people using Mucomyst do not experience serious side effects, as the benefits of the medication are typically deemed to outweigh the risks by the prescribing physician.

Severe Side Effects of Mucomyst

In rare cases, Mucomyst can cause more severe side effects. Patients taking the medication orally should seek immediate medical attention if they experience severe abdominal pain, black stools, or vomit that resembles coffee grounds.

For those inhaling Mucomyst, immediate medical help should be sought if they experience chest pain, tightness, or trouble breathing. These may be signs of a serious allergic reaction, which, although rare, can occur with this medication.

Long-Term Side Effects of Mucomyst

The long-term side effects of Mucomyst are not well-documented, as the medication is typically used for short-term treatment of specific conditions. However, it is important for patients to monitor their health and report any persistent or worsening side effects to their healthcare provider.

Prolonged use of Mucomyst may potentially lead to issues like gastrointestinal problems, electrolyte imbalances, or other complications. Patients with a history of certain medical conditions, such as asthma or stomach/intestinal ulcers, may be at a higher risk for long-term side effects.

Interactions and Precautions

Before using Mucomyst, patients should inform their doctor or pharmacist if they have any allergies, including to the medication itself or its inactive ingredients. Pregnant women should use Mucomyst only when clearly necessary, and its safety during breastfeeding is unknown.

Mucomyst may interact with other medications, potentially changing how they work or increasing the risk of side effects. Patients should provide their healthcare team with a complete list of all the products they use, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as any herbal supplements.

Overdose and Misuse

In the event of an overdose with serious symptoms like unconsciousness or trouble breathing, emergency medical assistance should be sought immediately. For less severe overdoses, patients should contact a poison control center.

Mucomyst should never be shared with others, as it is a prescription medication intended for the individual patient’s use only. Misuse or diversion of this medication can be dangerous and is not recommended.

Conclusion

Mucomyst is a vital medication used to treat lung diseases and prevent liver damage from acetaminophen overdose. While generally well-tolerated, it can cause common side effects like nausea, vomiting, and mouth sores. In rare cases, more severe side effects may occur, and long-term use may lead to additional complications.

Patients should closely monitor their health, report any concerning side effects to their healthcare providers, and follow all instructions for the safe and proper use of Mucomyst. By understanding the potential risks and taking appropriate precautions, patients can maximize the benefits of this important medication while minimizing the chances of adverse reactions.

Mucomyst: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing

Uses

When inhaled by mouth, acetylcysteine is used to help thin and loosen mucus in the airways due to certain lung diseases (such as emphysema, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia). This effect helps you to clear the mucus from your lungs so that you can breathe easier.When taken by mouth, acetylcysteine is used to prevent liver damage from acetaminophen overdose.

How to use Mucomyst Solution

If you are using this medication to treat lung disease, inhale this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. A health care professional will show you the proper way to use this medication. Learn all preparation and usage instructions.

You may notice a slight odor when you first breathe in the medication. This odor will quickly go away. If you are using a face mask to breathe in the medication, there may be some stickiness on your face after use. Wash your face with water to remove the stickiness.

Do not mix acetylcysteine with other inhaled medications unless directed by the doctor or pharmacist.

If you are taking this medication by mouth, take it as directed by your doctor. The solution is usually mixed with another liquid (such as cola) to decrease nausea and vomiting. Drink the medication within 1 hour of mixing.

Tell your doctor if you vomit within 1 hour after taking your medication. You may need to take another dose.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. For acetaminophen overdose, the dosage is also be based on your weight.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Side Effects

Nausea and vomiting may occur. Mouth sores and runny nose may also occur if you are inhaling this medication by mouth. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

If you are taking this medication by mouth, tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: severe stomach/abdominal pain, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

If you are inhaling this medication by mouth, get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: chest pain/tightness, trouble breathing.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www. fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before using acetylcysteine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: asthma, stomach/intestinal ulcer.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

See also How to Use section.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as urine ketone test), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Does Mucomyst Solution interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Do not share this medication with others.

For acetaminophen overdose, lab and/or medical tests (such as liver/kidney function, acetaminophen drug levels, blood mineral levels) should be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you are using this medication to treat lung disease and miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

If you are using this medication to treat acetaminophen overdose, it is important to take each dose as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule.

Store at room temperature away from light. After opening the vial, store in the refrigerator and use within 96 hours (4 days). The solution may change to a light purple color. This is normal and will not affect how the drug works. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

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Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

Acetylcysteine Oral Inhalation: MedlinePlus Drug Information

pronounced as (a seet” il sis’ teen)

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Acetylcysteine inhalation is used along with other treatments to relieve chest congestion due to thick or abnormal mucous secretions in people with lung conditions including asthma, emphysema, bronchitis and cystic fibrosis (an inborn disease that causes problems with breathing, digestion, and reproduction). Acetylcysteine is in a class of medications called mucolytic agents. It works by thinning the mucus in the air passages to make it easier to cough up the mucus and clear the airways.

Acetylcysteine comes as a solution (liquid) and concentrated solution to inhale by mouth using a nebulizer (machine that turns medication into a mist that can be inhaled). When using a nebulizer, it is usually used 3 to 4 times a day. When given by other methods, acetylcysteine should be used as directed. Use acetylcysteine at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use acetylcysteine exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Only mix acetylcysteine with other medications if instructed to do so by your doctor.

The concentrated solution of acetylcysteine should be mixed with normal saline or sterile water and used within an hour.

There may be a slight unpleasant odor when you use acetylcysteine that goes away quickly. In an opened bottle of acetylcysteine, there may be a color change to a light purple, but it will not affect use.

Acetylcysteine should only be used with nebulizers made of plastic or glass. Acetylcysteine should not be routinely used in a hand bulb operated nebulizer or put directly into a heated nebulizer. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the correct nebulizer to use with acetylcysteine.

Clean your nebulizer immediately following each use. If you do not clean your nebulizer properly, the nebulizer may become clogged and may not allow medication to be inhaled. Follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about cleaning your nebulizer.

Acetylcysteine is also sometimes used to treat people who have taken or received an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before using acetylcysteine,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to acetylcysteine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in acetylcysteine inhalation. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using acetylcysteine, call your doctor.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Acetylcysteine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea
• vomiting
• fever
• runny nose
• swelling of the inside of the mouth
• throat irritation
• drowsiness
• cool, moist skin

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• chest tightness
• wheezing
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• coughing up blood
• hives
• rash
• itching

Acetylcysteine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www. fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). After opening, keep this medication in the refrigerator, and dispose of any unused medication after 96 hours.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

• Mucomyst^®¶

• N-Acetylcysteine

^¶ This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.

Last Revised – 03/15/2017

Browse Drugs and Medicines

Why is an overdose of drugs dangerous and how to avoid it?

Medicine	Symptoms	Antidote/Emergency
Analgin	Tinnitus, nausea, vomiting, general weakness.	Gastric lavage, laxatives and diuretic.
Adrenaline (epinephrine)	Nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, pallor, cyanosis, chills, dilated pupils, tremor, convulsions, difficulty breathing.	Forced diuresis. When taken orally – gastric lavage. With tachycardia, anaprilin.
Amidopyrine (Butadione, Pyramidone)	Tinnitus, nausea, vomiting, general weakness, decrease in body temperature, shortness of breath, tachycardia.	Gastric lavage, forced diuresis, saline laxative, vitamin B1.
Anticoagulants (heparin, dicoumarin)	Hemorrhages, blood in the urine.	Vitamin K (Vikasol), forced diuresis.
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)	Dizziness, tinnitus, hearing loss, visual disturbance, rapid breathing.	Gastric lavage, vaseline oil inside. With bleeding – vikasol.
Boric acid	Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, general weakness, headache. Skin changes. Absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, damaged skin, so symptoms may appear even a day after ingestion.	Gastric lavage, forced diuresis. .
Digoxin and other cardiac glycosides	Nausea, vomiting; bradycardia or tachycardia, decreased blood pressure, cyanosis, convulsions. Symptoms of intoxication appear within the first hour.	Gastric lavage, saline laxative, oral sorbents.
Ergocalciferol (vitamin D₂)	Nausea, frequent vomiting, dehydration, lethargy, fever. Intoxication can develop as a result of a single dose of a large dose of the drug or with repeated use.	Detoxification measures, intramuscular corticosteroids.
Corticosteroids (hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, prednisolone, etc. )	Peripheral edema, increased blood pressure; CNS disorders.	Forced diuresis; inside potassium chloride.
Paracetamol	Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, right upper quadrant pain, weakness.	Oral use in the first 16 hours of acetylcysteine ​​(mucomist, mucosolvin). The antidote can also be administered intravenously by drip (with severe vomiting), however, the oral route is more effective and is associated with fewer side effects.
Iron preparations	Abdominal pain, vomiting, discolored stools. Symptoms of intoxication appear 15-30 minutes after ingestion.	1. Gastric lavage, oral sorbents.
Potassium permanganate (“potassium permanganate”)	Brown-purple color of the affected mucous membranes, their swelling; psychomotor agitation.	With severe cyanosis – methylene blue 50 ml of a 1% solution, ascorbic acid – 30 ml of a 5% solution intravenously.
Insulin	Symptoms of hypoglycemia: weakness, sweating, hand tremors, hunger.	Forced diuresis, intravenous administration of glucose, manitol. Intramuscular glucagon.
Iodine	Inhalation of iodine vapours, affects the upper respiratory tract. When concentrated solutions of iodine get inside, severe burns of the gastrointestinal tract develop.	Gastric lavage through a tube with sodium thiosulfate solution. Sodium thiosulfate 30% solution – up to 300 ml per day intravenously, 10% sodium chloride solution 30 ml intravenously.
Brilliant green mortar	Cyanosis of lips, ears, nails. Severe weakness, dizziness, headache.	Flushing with a weak solution of potassium permanganate in case of contact with the skin. When taken orally – abundant gastric lavage, the introduction of vaseline oil.

Tussin or Mukomist? – meds.

is

Not specified

Active ingredient

Guaifenesin

Not specified

Active ingredient

Acetylcysteine ​​

Algorithm that evaluates a drug considering 23 factors

Tussin

Not specified

Efficiency

100 out of 100

100%

Safety

100 out of 100

100%

Ease of use

68 out of 100

68%

More is better

Contraindications

10 out of 100

10%

Side effects

7 out of 100

7%

Addictive

1 in 100

1%

Less is more

Mukomist

Not specified

Efficiency

73 out of 100

73%

Safety

75 out of 100

75%

Ease of use

63 out of 100

63%

The more the better

Contraindications

10 out of 100

10%

Side effects

17 out of 100

17%

Addictive

… out of 100

0%

The less the better

Attention

This analysis of drugs and their active substances was performed by the Synopsis automated algorithm based on a multifactorial mathematical model built according to information taken from open sources. Before use, read the instructions. Consult your doctor (specialist) about possible contraindications.

Comparison of the effectiveness of Tussin and Mukomist

Tussin is more effective than Mukomist, which means that the ability of the drug substance to have the maximum possible effect is different.

For example, if the therapeutic effect of Tussin is more pronounced, then Mukomist cannot achieve this effect even in large doses.

Also, the rate of therapy – an indicator of the speed of therapeutic action in Tussin and Mukomist is also different, as well as bioavailability – the amount of a drug substance reaching the site of its action in the body. The higher the bioavailability, the less its loss will be during absorption and use by the body.

Safety comparison of Tussin and Mukomist

The safety of a drug depends on many factors.

At the same time, it is higher for Tussin than for Mukomist. It is important where the drug is metabolized: medicinal substances are excreted from the body either unchanged or as products of their biochemical transformations. Metabolism proceeds spontaneously, but most often involves major organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, brain, and others. When evaluating metabolism in Tussin, as well as in Mukomist, we look at which organ is the metabolizing organ and how critical the effect on it is.

The ratio of risk to benefit is when the prescription of a drug is undesirable, but justified under certain conditions and circumstances, with the obligatory observance of caution in use. At the same time, Tussin has less risks when using than Mukomist.

The safety calculation also takes into account whether there are only allergic reactions or possible dysfunction of the main organs. In other matters, as well as the reversibility of the consequences of the use of Tussin and Mukomist.

Comparison of Tussin and Mukomist contraindications

According to instructions. The number of contraindications for Tussin is quite similar to Mukomist and is small. This is a list of symptoms with syndromes, and diseases, various external and internal conditions under which the use of Tussin and Mukomist may be undesirable or unacceptable.

Comparison of addiction in Tussin and Mukomist

Like safety, addiction also includes many factors that need to be considered when evaluating a drug.

So the totality of the values ​​of such parameters as “withdrawal syndrome” and “development of resistance” in Tussin is quite similar to those in Mukomist. Withdrawal syndrome is a pathological condition that occurs after the cessation of the intake of substances that cause addiction or dependence in the body. And resistance is understood as the initial resistance to the drug, in this it differs from addiction, when resistance to the drug develops over a certain period of time. The presence of resistance can only be stated if an attempt has been made to increase the dose of the drug to the maximum possible. At the same time, Tussin’s values ​​of “withdrawal syndrome” and “resistance” are quite small, however, as well as in Mukomist.

Comparison of Tussin and Mukomist side effects

An adverse event or adverse event is any medically adverse event that occurs in a subject following administration of a drug.

Tussin’s state of adverse events is almost the same as that of Mukomist. Both of them have few side effects. This implies that the frequency of their manifestation is low, that is, the indicator of how many cases of manifestation of an undesirable effect from treatment is possible and registered is low. The undesirable effect on the body, the strength of influence and the toxic effect of Tussin is similar to Mukomist: how quickly the body recovers after taking it and whether it recovers at all.

Comparison of the ease of use of Tussin and Mukomist

This is the selection of the dose, taking into account various conditions, and the frequency of doses. At the same time, it is important not to forget about the form of release of the drug, it is also important to take it into account when making an assessment.

The ease of use of Tussin is approximately the same as Mukomist. However, they are not convenient enough to use.

The rating of drugs was compiled by experienced pharmacists studying international studies.