FLUIMUCIL ® - Acetylcysteine

FLUIMUCIL ® is a drug based on acetylcysteine

THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Mucolytics

IndicationsAction mechanismStudies and clinical effectiveness Usage and dosage instructionsWarnings Pregnancy and lactationInteractionsContraindicationsUndesirable effects

Indications FLUIMUCIL ® - Acetylcysteine

FLUIMUCIL ® is indicated as a mucolytic in the symptomatic treatment of those respiratory diseases characterized by dense and viscous hypersecretion of mucus.

It is also useful to remember that Acetylcysteine may also be useful as an antidote in paracetamol intoxications.

Mechanism of action FLUIMUCIL ® - Acetylcysteine

FLUIMUCIL ® is a drug based on Acetylcysteine, an amino acid derivative endowed with numerous biological activities that are particularly valuable for the cellular economy.

More precisely after oral administration, acetylcysteine reaches the plasma peak after about 2-3 hours, concentrating in significant quantities and therefore pharmacologically active at the pulmonary level where, by interacting with mucoprotein complexes, it breaks down the disulfide bridges forming smaller units, thus carrying out a mucolytic and fluidifying effect.

In addition to the aforementioned mucolytic activity, acetylcysteine also has a fundamental antioxidant role, which justifies its use as an antidote in paracetamol intoxications, guaranteed by the ability to supply L-cysteine following de acetylation.

The L-Cysteine inside the cell, is used to regenerate one of the most powerful endogenous antioxidants such as Glutathione, thus protecting the cell from insults caused by reactive oxygen species.

Studies carried out and clinical efficacy

ACETYLCYSTEINE NEUROPROTECTIVE ACTION

Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013 Apr 16: 1-17. [Epub ahead of print]

Very interesting experimental work that demonstrates, in vitro, how acetylcysteine can protect human nerve cells from damage induced by interferon alpha, whose production increases significantly during infectious diseases of viral origin.

ACETYLCISTEIN IN THE TREATMENT OF ACNE

Skinmed. 2012 Nov-Dec; 10 (6): 348-51.

Innovative study that demonstrates how Acetylcysteine can determine a clinical improvement of skin lesions in patients with mild and moderate acne, thus representing a potential therapeutic ally.

PULMONARY FIBROSIS AND IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE THERAPY WITH ACETYLCISTEIN

N Engl J Med. 2012 May 24; 366 (21): 1968-77. doi: 10.1056 / NEJMoa1113354. Epub 2012 May 20.

A very important study that demonstrates how the association between acetylcysteine, prednisone and azathioprine can determine an increased risk of death in patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

Method of use and dosage

FLUIMUCIL ®

Effervescent tablets of 600 mg of acetylcysteine;

Granules for oral solution of 600 mg of acetylcysteine;

Acetylcysteine 600 mg syrup per 15 ml of product.

FLUIMUCIL ® therapy should be defined by your doctor based on the patient's pathophysiological characteristics, the severity of his clinical picture and therapeutic goals.

Usually the mucolytic and fluidizing action is obtainable through the administration, preferably in the evening, of 600 mg of Acetylcysteine, for a few days while in the case of paracetamol intoxication the dosage should be defined at the moment by the doctor based on the weight of the patient.

Warnings FLUIMUCIL ® - Acetylcysteine

FLUIMUCIL ® therapy should be preceded by a careful medical examination aimed at assessing the prescriptive appropriateness and the possible presence of conditions such as to reduce the efficacy and safety of the therapy.

Particular caution should in fact be reserved for patients unable to expectorate adequately, I note the fluidifying effect of Acetylcysteine which could significantly increase the volume of sputum, consequently creating conditions that require bronchial aspiration.

The entire therapeutic procedure should be supervised by your doctor, so as to quickly identify any side effects, sometimes as severe as bronchospasms in asthmatic patients.

The presence in FLUIMUCIL ® syrup and granules for sorbitol oral solution, could determine the onset of side effects in patients suffering from hereditary fructose intolerance, with consequent diarrhea and abdominal pain.

The presence of para-hydroxybenzoates instead in FLUIMUCIL ® syrup, could increase the risk of allergic reactions in atopic patients.

FLUIMUCIL ® tablets and sachets contain aspartame, making them contraindicated in patients with phenylketonuria.

PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

The absence of significant clinical trials capable of fully characterizing the safety profile of acetylcysteine for the health of the fetus and infant, extend the aforementioned contraindications also to pregnancy and the subsequent breastfeeding period.

Interactions

Although no clinically relevant drug interactions are currently known, it is appropriate to consider the ability of acetylcysteine to reduce the activity of some antibiotics and in particular of beta-lactams.

Contraindications FLUIMUCIL ® - Acetylcysteine

The use of FLUIMUCIL ® is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to the active ingredient or to one of its excipients, during pregnancy and in the subsequent period of breastfeeding.

Undesirable effects - Side effects

The use of FLUIMUCIL ® could determine the appearance of adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting and only rarely hypersensitivity reactions such as urticaria and bronchospasm.