Carbocisteine is a bronchial thinner (mucolytic). What medicines contain it? Clarix®? In what directions? What precautions should be taken ? Can it be used pregnant?
What is carbocisteine?
Carbocisteine is a molecule that changes the consistency of the mucus present in the respiratory tract. It is a mucolytic, more commonly called bronchial thinner.
In what drugs?
Carbocisteine comes in the form of syrup or drinkable solution in the following commercial specialties:
- Bronchokod® adult
- Broncathiol®: adult and child
- Clarix® wet cough: adult and child
- Humex® adult expectorant
- Mucoplexil® adult
Several generics are also available:
- Adult Arrow Carbocistein
- Carbocisteine Biogaran advice: adult and child
- Carbocisteine EG child advice
- Carbocisteine Mylan: adult and child
- Carbocisteine Teva advice: adult and child
- Carbocisteine Upsa adult
- Carbocisteine Viatris advice: adult and child
- Carbocisteine Zentiva advice: adult and child
What are the indications for carbocisteine?
Carbocistein drugs are indicated in the symptomatic treatment of acute respiratory pathologies such as bronchitisbut also episodes of chronic bronchopneumopathies (COPD). The use of carbocisteine is recommended when these conditions are characterized by excess mucus in the airways and difficulty expectorating. Thus, it effectively relieves bronchial congestion.
Carbocistein Types
From a chemical point of view, there is only one type of carbocisteine. However, carbocisteine may occur in the form of an oral suspension in a bottle or in single-dose sachets. In addition, two dosages are currently available: an adult form (dosed at 5%) and a child form (dosed at 2%).
What is the composition of carbocisteine?
Carbocisteine has cysteine, molecule from which it is synthetically derived. Cysteine is a sulfur amino acid allowing the manufacture of proteins involved in the proper functioning of the body.
What are the functions of carbocisteine?
carbocisteine alters the structure of mucus by breaking the bonds between the different glycoproteins that compose it. So she thins the secretions present in the respiratory tract, which promotes their evacuation by coughing. This molecule does not block the cough reflex since such a blockage would promote mucus stagnation and therefore a risk of secondary infection. In case of bronchial secretions, coughing is a means of defense.
A mucolytic should never be administered to a child under 2 years of age
What precautions if you take carbocisteine?
► Carbocisteine should never be taken concomitantly with an antitussive drug which would block wet cough. This combination would promote respiratory superinfection due to the accumulation of mucus in the bronchi. Antitussives are exclusively reserved for the management of dry coughs.
► A mucolytic should never be administered in a child under 2 years of age since an infant is not able to expectorate effectively, this drug would expose him to bronchial congestion.
► Special vigilance is required in patients with peptic ulcer disease. Indeed, carbocisteine can cause nausea, diarrhea and heartburn. In this case, a dose reduction is advised.
► Facing a worsening or persistence of bronchial congestion after 8 days, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Similarly, if digestive bleeding or allergic skin reactions occur, a medical consultation is necessary to consider interrupting treatment.
► In addition, the composition of carbocisteine-based specialties must sometimes be taken into account before taking the treatment. Medications containing sucrose should be avoided in case of ddiabetes, fructose intolerance, sucrase or isomaltase deficiency (rare sickness) or intestinal absorption disorders. With regard to people on a low-salt diet (in a context of heart failure or hypertension), the administration of a specialty containing a significant amount of sodium should be excluded.
Can you take it pregnant?
According to scientific studies, taking carbocisteine is not responsible for embryonic or fetal malformations. However, as a precaution, medicinal products containing it should not be administered during pregnancy, except with the agreement of the doctor in the absence of therapeutic alternatives. If a mucolytic is needed, the use of acetylcysteine will be preferred, whatever the term of the pregnancy.
Sources:
– Public drug database
– CRAT
-ANSM