Adverse Reaction:
Flushing, fever, stomatitis, nausea, vomiting, rhinorrhoea, bronchospasm,
anaphyloid reactions, rashes
Rarely blurred vision, bradycardia, syncope, thrombocytopenia, convulsions,
Rarely respiratory or cardiac arrest
Dosages/ Overdosage Etc:
Indications-
Paracetamol poisoning
Dosage-
Adult-
Administer loading dose of 140mg/kg followed by maintenance doses of 70mg.kg every
4 hr for a total of 17 doses
Repeat dose if the patient vomits within 1 hr of admin.
Continue therapy until paracetamol levels are not detectable and there is no evidence of hepatoxicity
Child-
After gastric lavage or induction of emesis with Ipecac syrup admin loading dose of
140mg/kg followed by maintenance doses of 70mg/kg every 4 hr for a total of 17 doses
1st maintenance dose is given after 4hr after the loading dose
Repeat dose if the patient vomits within 1 hr of admin.
Continue therapy until paracetamol levels are not detectable and thereis no evidence of hepatoxicity
Intravenous-
Adult-
Initially 150mg/kg in 200ml of infusion fluid given over 15 minutes followed by 50mg/kg
of infusion given over the next 4 hr then 100mg/kg in i L infusion fluid over the next 12 hours
Child-
Child > 20kg. initially 150mg/kg in 100ml of fluid given over 15 minutes followed by 50mg/kg
in 250ml of infusion given over next 4 hr then 100mg/kg in 500ml of infusion fluid over the next
16hr
Child < 20kg - adjust adult dose volume based on child age and weight to avoid fluid overload
Patient Information:
Ref- Advice for the Patient - Drug Information in Lay Language- USPDI (1997)
Acetylcysteine- Inhalation
1.Allergies-
Tell your doctor if you are have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to
acetylcyteine. Also tell your healthcare care professional if you are allergic to any other
substances such as foods. preservatives or dyes.
2.Pregnancy-
Acetylcysteine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, acetylcysteine has
not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies when given
in doses larger than the recommended human dose.
3. Breast-feeding-
It is not known whether acetylcysteine passes into the breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast feed should discuss this with their doctor.
4.Children-
Although their is no specific information comparing use of acetylcysteine in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.
5.Older adults-
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way than they do in younger adults, or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of acetylcysteine in the elderly with use in other age groups
6. Other medical problems-
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of acetylcysteine. Make
sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems especially-
Asthma-
Other lung disease- acetylcysteine may make the condition worse.
7. Missed dose-
If you miss a dose of this medicine use it as soon as possible. Then use any remaining
doses for that day at regularly spaced intervals.
8.Storage-
Keep out of reach of children
Before a container is opened store it away from direct heat and sunlight.
After the container is opened , store it in the refrigerator. However, keep the medicine
from freezing. The opened container should be discarded after 96 hours
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer in needed. Be sure that any
discarded medicine is out of reach of children.
Manufacturer Details