Details

Carbocisteine is used to treat patients with problems with their breathing passages (respiratory tract). It is a mucolytic. It is used to reduce the amount of mucus (phlegm) and make it less sticky, which then makes it easier to cough up. In general this drug is used to treat patients when they produce too much mucus (phlegm) or when the mucus (phlegm) is too sticky. Benefits of being on this drug can include being able to breathe more freely by allowing the patient to cough up mucus (phlegm) more easily.

Typical Uses

Carbocisteine is used to reduce the amount of mucus (phlegm) in the breathing passages of patients with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (long term obstruction of the flow of air through the airways and out of the lungs), chronic productive cough (long term cough which produces much mucus (phlegm).

Side Effects

Some of the side effects of carbocisteine include headache and dizziness nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal discomfort/bleeding and black hairy tongue rash, hives and severe allergic reactions and anaemia.

Drug Interactions

There are no known drug interactions for carbocisteine.

Mechanism of action

Carbocisteine belongs to a class of medicines called mucolytics. It works by breaking down the mucus that is produced in the lungs. This helps to make the mucus less thick and sticky, so it is easier to cough up.

Pregnancy Category : C