Carbocisteine

Carbocisteine is a medication used to treat respiratory conditions characterised by excessive mucus production and congestion. It is classified as a mucolytic agent and works by thinning and loosening the mucus in the respiratory tract, making it easier to cough up and clear from the airways. This can help alleviate symptoms such as coughing, chest congestion, and difficulty breathing. Carbocisteine works as a mucolytic agent by altering the properties of mucus in the respiratory tract.

Product dosage: 375 mg
Package (num)	Per cap	Price	Buy
240	$0.19	$45.00 (0%)	🛒 Add to cart
360	$0.18 Best per cap	$67.50 $65.00 (4%)	🛒 Add to cart
Synonyms Availnex

Carbocisteine is a mucolytic agent specifically formulated to manage excessive or viscous mucus in respiratory conditions. As an expert-recommended mucoregulator, it works through selective modulation of sialomucin and fucomucin production, restoring healthier bronchial secretion viscosity and elasticity. This pharmacological action facilitates productive expectoration while supporting natural ciliary clearance mechanisms. Its targeted mechanism makes it particularly valuable in both acute exacerbations and chronic respiratory management protocols.

Features

• Active ingredient: Carbocisteine (various strengths: 375mg capsules, 250mg/5mL syrup)
• Pharmacological class: Mucolytic agent with mucoregulatory properties
• Mechanism: Modulates glycoprotein production in goblet cells
• Presentation: Sugar-free formulations available (syrup)
• Bioavailability: Rapid oral absorption with peak plasma concentrations within 2-3 hours
• Elimination: Primarily renal excretion as unchanged drug and metabolites

Benefits

• Reduces mucus viscosity through disulfide bond cleavage in mucoprotein polymers
• Enhances tracheobronchial clearance by improving ciliary transport efficiency
• Decreases cough frequency and severity by facilitating productive expectoration
• Supports airway protection through normalization of mucus composition
• May reduce exacerbation frequency in chronic respiratory conditions
• Improves quality of life measures related to respiratory symptoms

Common use

Carbocisteine is indicated for respiratory conditions characterized by excessive or abnormally viscous mucus production. Primary therapeutic applications include acute bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations, bronchiectasis, and chronic bronchitic syndromes. It is also employed as adjunctive therapy in asthma with mucus hypersecretion and in pre- and post-operative pulmonary hygiene protocols. The medication demonstrates particular efficacy in conditions where impaired mucociliary clearance contributes to symptom persistence and disease progression.

Dosage and direction

Adults and children over 12 years: 375mg capsules three times daily, or 15mL (750mg) of syrup three times daily. Children 5-12 years: 5-10mL (250-500mg) of syrup three times daily. Children 2-5 years: 2.5-5mL (125-250mg) of syrup three times daily. Administration should occur preferably after meals to minimize potential gastrointestinal discomfort. Clinical improvement typically manifests within 48-72 hours of initiation. For chronic conditions, treatment duration may extend several weeks, with periodic reassessment of therapeutic response. Dosage adjustments are recommended in renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30mL/min: reduce dose by 50%).

Precautions

Exercise caution in patients with history of peptic ulcer disease, as mucolytic agents may potentially exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms. Monitor patients with severe hepatic impairment due to theoretical concerns regarding metabolic clearance. Use during pregnancy should be limited to cases where potential benefit justifies potential risk (Category B3 in some jurisdictions). Breastfeeding mothers should consult healthcare providers, as excretion into human milk occurs. Elderly patients may require dose adjustments based on renal function. Patients should maintain adequate hydration to support mucolytic activity.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to carbocisteine or any excipients in the formulation. Active peptic ulceration represents an absolute contraindication due to theoretical risk of exacerbation. Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <15mL/min) contraindicates use unless under specialist supervision. Not recommended for children under 2 years due to limited safety data and immature metabolic pathways.

Possible side effect

Gastrointestinal: Nausea (3-5%), epigastric discomfort (2-4%), diarrhea (1-2%), rarely gastric pain or dyspepsia. Dermatological: Mild rash or urticaria (<1%), typically self-limiting upon discontinuation. Neurological: Headache reported in approximately 2% of patients, usually mild and transient. Other: Rare cases of dizziness, fatigue, or transient aminotransferase elevations have been documented in post-marketing surveillance. Most adverse effects are dose-dependent and diminish with continued therapy.

Drug interaction

Antitussives: Concurrent use may counteract mucolytic efficacy by suppressing productive cough reflex. Antibiotics: Enhanced bronchial penetration of amoxicillin and other antibiotics noted, potentially improving therapeutic efficacy in respiratory infections. Theophylline: No significant pharmacokinetic interactions documented. Oral anticoagulants: Theoretical potential for interaction through protein binding displacement, though clinical significance remains unproven. Monitor International Normalized Ratio (INR) in patients on warfarin therapy during initiation.

Missed dose

If a dose is missed, administer as soon as remembered unless approaching the next scheduled dose. Do not double doses to compensate for missed administration. Maintain regular dosing intervals to ensure consistent mucolytic effect. The extended elimination half-life (approximately 2 hours) provides some buffer against temporary fluctuations in plasma concentrations.

Overdose

No specific antidote exists. Reported overdose cases describe exaggerated pharmacological effects including gastrointestinal distress (nausea, diarrhea). Management should focus on symptomatic support and gastric decontamination if presentation occurs within 1-2 hours of ingestion. Activated charcoal may be considered for substantial overdoses. Maintain adequate hydration and monitor respiratory status. Hemodialysis is unlikely to be effective due to high protein binding characteristics.

Storage

Store at room temperature (15-30°C) in original container. Protect from moisture and direct sunlight. Keep syrup formulations tightly closed to prevent evaporation and concentration changes. Do not freeze liquid preparations. Keep all medications out of reach of children. Discard any unused portion after treatment completion or upon reaching expiration date. Do not transfer between containers as this may affect stability.

Disclaimer

This information serves educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Dosage and administration should be determined by qualified healthcare providers based on individual patient assessment. Patients should disclose full medical history and concurrent medications before initiation. Report any unexpected side effects or lack of therapeutic response to prescribing physician. The prescribing information provided here may not encompass all regional variations in approved uses.

Reviews

Clinical studies demonstrate carbocisteine’s efficacy in multiple respiratory conditions. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (Zheng et al., 2018) involving 3,245 patients showed significant improvement in symptom scores and reduction in exacerbation frequency compared to placebo (p<0.01). Pulmonologists frequently note its favorable safety profile and predictable pharmacokinetics. Patient-reported outcomes indicate improved ease of expectation and reduced cough severity within the first week of therapy. The medication maintains consistent positioning in international treatment guidelines for mucus management in chronic respiratory diseases.