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Acetylcysteine

Acetylcysteine is an oral medication that works by breaking disulfide bonds to decrease the viscosity of respiratory secretions and promote their removal. It also protects the liver from acetaminophen overdose by restoring glutathione levels or acting as an alternate substrate for acetaminophen metabolism. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, wheezing, and urticaria. Nurses should assess the patient's respiratory status and secretions and educate them about avoiding irritants and activities that could be dangerous when taking this medication.

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Sol Gregorio
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2K views1 page

Acetylcysteine

Acetylcysteine is an oral medication that works by breaking disulfide bonds to decrease the viscosity of respiratory secretions and promote their removal. It also protects the liver from acetaminophen overdose by restoring glutathione levels or acting as an alternate substrate for acetaminophen metabolism. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, wheezing, and urticaria. Nurses should assess the patient's respiratory status and secretions and educate them about avoiding irritants and activities that could be dangerous when taking this medication.

Uploaded by

Sol Gregorio
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Generic name: Acetylcysteine Route of Administration: PO

DRUG CLASSIFICATI ON MODE/ MECHANISM OF ACTION Decreases viscosity of respiratory tract secretions and promote their removal by breaking disulfide bonds. In acetaminophen overdose, it protects the liver from injury by restoring glutathione levels or by acting as alternate substrate for acetaminophen metabolism. INDICATIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS Indications: Treatment of respiratory affectations characterized by thick and viscous hypersecretions. Contraindications Hypersensitivity ADVERSE REACTIONS & SIDE EFFECTS CNS: mild fever, hypotension GI: N&V RESP: dyspnea, wheezing SKIN: generalized urticaria, stomatitis DRUG INTERACTIONS When local treatment with both acetylcysteine and antibiotic is required, it is advisable to administer the 2 drugs separately. Ampicillin, cephaloridine, cephalothin, oleandomycin and insulin incompatibilities.

Dosage: 600mg/tab OD
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS Assess patients history of underlying condition, cough: type, frequency, character. Assess patients respiration and pulmonary secretions, exercise caution on patients with respiratory insufficiency and history of bronchospasm. HEALTH TEACHINGS Instruct patient to follow directions exactly. Advice patient to avoid smoking, smoke filled rooms, perfume, dust, environmental pollutants, cleaners. Tell patient to avoid driving or other hazardous activities until patient is stabilized on this medication, avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants, these will enhance sedating properties of the drug.

Mucokinetics/ Expectorant

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