Mucomyst (Inhalation)

Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic (medicine that destroys or dissolves mucus). It is typically given by inhalation but may be administered in other ways in a hospital.

Acetylcysteine is used for specific lung conditions when too much mucus makes breathing hard. Acetylcysteine thins or dissolves mucus so that it can be coughed up. Sometimes, the mucus may need to be removed by suction.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

If your condition does not improve or if it gets worse, contact your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you must consider the risks against the benefits. This is a choice you will make with your doctor. For this medicine, think about the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

While there is no specific information comparing the use of acetylcysteine in children with its use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or issues in children than it does in adults.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older adults. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work the same way in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or issues in older adults. There is no specific information comparing the use of acetylcysteine in the elderly with its use in other age groups.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while others may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential significance and may not be all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both.

• Carbamazepine
• Nitroglycerin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around the time of eating or with certain types of food, as interactions may happen. Drinking alcohol or using tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect how you use this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially:

• Asthma—Acetylcysteine may worsen this condition

• Decreased ability to cough—Mucus may need to be removed by suctioning.

Along with its benefits, a medicine can cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, you might need medical help.

Check with your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects:

Less common

• Wheezing, tightness in the chest, or trouble breathing (especially in asthma patients)

Rare

• Skin rash or other irritation

Some side effects might happen that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body gets used to the medicine. Your healthcare professional might also have ways to help prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Talk to your healthcare professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have questions about them:

Less common

• Clammy skin
• Fever
• More mucus in the lungs
• Irritation or soreness in the mouth, throat, or lungs
• Nausea or vomiting
• Runny nose

For patients using a face mask for inhalation of acetylcysteine: the mask may leave a stickiness on your face. You can wash this off with water.

When you use acetylcysteine, you might notice that the medicine has a bad smell at first. However, this odor will go away soon after you use the medicine.

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, talk to your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Mucomyst

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Diagnostic Agent, Bronchial

Chemical Class: Amino Acid

Use acetylcysteine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

If you are using this medicine at home, make sure you understand exactly how to use it. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

After using acetylcysteine, try to cough up the loosened or thinned mucus. If this does not work, it may have to be suctioned out. This will prevent too much mucus from building up in the lungs. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For inhalation dosage form (solution): To thin or dissolve mucus in lung diseases: Adults and children— 3 to 5 milliliters (mL) of a 20% solution or 6 to 10 mL of a 10% solution used in a nebulizer three or four times a day. The medicine is inhaled through a face mask, mouthpiece, or tracheostomy. The 10 or 20% solution may be used for inhalation as a heavy mist in a tent or croupette. Sometimes the 10 or 20% solution is placed directly into the trachea or through a catheter into the trachea for certain conditions. For use in tests to diagnose lung problems: Adults and children—1 to 2 mL of a 20% solution or 2 to 4 mL of a 10% solution used for inhalation or placed directly into the trachea two or three times before the test.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Store unopened vials of this medicine in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. An open vial of medicine must be used right away.

The opened container should be discarded after 4 days.

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