Acetylcysteine

What is acetylcysteine?

Acetylcysteine is a medicine that thins or dissolves mucus. It may be used for certain lung conditions where large amounts of mucus make breathing difficult.

Acetylcysteine is also used to prevent liver damage after an acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose.

You may hear acetylcysteine called by its brand names, Mucomyst or Parvolex. Acetylcysteine comes as a liquid to take by mouth, a liquid to inhale, and as an injection.

Before giving acetylcysteine to your child?

Tell your child's doctor if your child has an allergy to acetylcysteine.

Also, talk with your child's doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• Asthma
• Trouble coughing or cannot cough

How should you give your child acetylcysteine?

Give your child acetylcysteine exactly the way the doctor or pharmacist tells you. Do not use it in larger amounts, and do not use it more often than you are told to by the doctor or pharmacist.

If your child is inhaling this medicine:

• Your child will breathe this medicine in through a special machine called a nebulizer. You may need to mix the acetylcysteine with other​ medicines, sterile normal saline, or sterile water.
• Do not mix the dose of acetylcysteine until you are ready to use the medication.
• If you are not sure how to use the machine, ask your child's nurse or pharmacist.
• Clean the nebulizer right after each use. The residue can clog parts of the nebulizer.

If your child is taking this medicine by mouth:

• You may mix acetylcysteine with water, juice, soft drinks or chocolate milk.
• Mix the acetylcysteine right before you are ready to give it to your child. You should use the solution within 1 hour of mixing it.

If your child is getting this medicine by injection:

• Your child will get this medicine at the hospital. A doctor or nurse will give it by needle into your child's vein.

What should you do if your child misses a dose?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not give your child two doses to make up for one missed dose.

What are the possible side effects of acetylcysteine?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take acetylcysteine. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects, if they do not go away, or if they bother your child:

• Nausea (upset stomach)
• Vomiting (throwing up)
• White patches or sores inside the mouth or on the lips

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency Department if your child has any of these side effects:

• Hives
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Chest tightness

What safety measures should you take when your child is using acetylcysteine?

If your child is taking acetylcysteine to help with their mucus, give your child plenty of liquids to drink each day, unless your doctor tells you not to. Do not give your child liquids which contain caffeine, such as cola, coffee, or tea.

Do not mix other medicines in a nebulizer with acetylcysteine, unless your doctor has told you to.

Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines (prescription, non-prescription, herbal, or natural products).​​

Acetylcysteine should only be used with certain types of nebulizer machines. Check with your child'​s nurse or pharmacist to make sure you have the right type of machine.

Your child may have a sticky feeling around the nebulizer mask when inhaling acetylcysteine. This stickiness can be removed with water.

Your child may sense an unusual or unpleasant smell while using acetylcysteine. This is normal.

Call your doctor if you believe your child's condition is not getting better, or if it is worse.

What other important information should you know about acetylcysteine?

• Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.
• Acetylcysteine liquid may change colour once you have opened the bottle. It is still safe to use if this happens.
• Make sure you always have enough acetylcysteine to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least 2 days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.
• If a pharmacy is making acetylcysteine liquid for your child to take by mouth, it is good for only 2 days in the refrigerator.
• If your child is taking acetylcysteine by mouth or by inhalation, and you are mixing the solution with a beverage or other solution, store the opened acetylcysteine vials in a refrigerator and use them within 4 days.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
  

Keep acetylcysteine out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much acetylcysteine, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.