Carbocisteine reduces goblet cell hyperplasia and therefore plays a role in the management of disorders characterised by abnormal mucous. Carbocisteine loosens thick sputum effectively by reducing its viscosity and thereby helps to expectorate that mucus more easily from the respiratory tract. The mucolytic action happens in several mechanisms. It breaks the disulphide bonds, which cross-link certain glycoprotein molecules in the mucus, the mucus produced under the influence of Carbocisteine has high sialomucin and low fucomucin content. This combined effect ultimately reduces the viscosity of the sputum and increases its volume.

Carbocisteine is indicated for- Acute bronchitis, Chronic bronchitis, Bronchial asthma, Upper respiratory tract inflammation (pharyngitis, laryngitis), Cystic fibrosis Bronchiectasis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Drainage in chronic sinusitis and pneumonia, Drainage in otitis media in children.

Adult: Initially, 2.25 g daily in divided doses, then 1.5 g daily in divided doses as condition improves.

Child: 2-5 year: 62.5-125 mg 4 times daily; 6-12 year 250 mg tid.

Should be taken with food.

Contraindicated in active peptic ulceration and in patients with hypersensitivity to the drug.

Gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal bleeding, palpitation, dizziness, headache, heartburn and skin rash may occur.

Overdose Effects

Symptoms: GI disturbance.

Management: May perform gastric lavage, followed by observation.

No specific precaution is recommended but Carbocisteine should be used with caution in patients with a recent history of peptic ulcer and recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding.

Pregnancy & Lactation

There is no information on the use of Carbocisteine during lactation. While there are no reports of teratogenic effects, the manufacturers do not recommend the use of Carbocisteine in the first trimester.