Acetylcysteine Side Effects
- Though allergic reactions are not common while taking Acetylcysteine, they are possible and can be severe. According to drugs.com, symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue and face, and throat and lung irritation. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention, as you make have to stop taking this drug or have your dosage adjusted.
- While taking Acetylcysteine, patients have experienced many gastrointestinal side effects that have been mild and serious. Drugs.com states that these include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn and indigestion. Though these may not be serious, dehydration can occur when vomiting and diarrhea persist. Other serious gastrointestinal side effects include rectal bleeding, pain and irritation of the throat, coughing up blood, increase in nasal drainage, and stomatitis.
- Respiratory side effects associated with Acetylcysteine have been reported and included spasms of the bronchials, wheezing, precipitation of asthma and respiratory arrest, according to drugs.com. Respiratory arrest mainly happens when this drug is given through the veins. Cardiovascular side effects may also be serious, and include chest pain, increase in heart rate and low blood pressure. Drugs.com states that these usually occur in patients who have hypersensitivity issues with the drug.
- Drugs.com reports that patients taking Acetylcysteine have experienced many dermatologic side effects. These have included skin rashes, itching sensations, and irritation near the injection site if the drug is given through the veins. Hypersensitivity side effects have included allergic reactions (usually if the medication is given through the veins), flushing, warm feeling on the skin, chest pain, dyspnea (which is associated with disease of the airways), asthma and serum sickness-like reaction, explains drugs.com. Rashes usually occur on the neck, face or trunk.
- Additional side effects associated with this drug include dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, headache and increased intracranial pressure, reports drugs.com. Local side effects that have been experienced include severe pain near the injection site. Other side effects as explained by drugs.com include fever (after inhalation or injection), rare pain of the muscles and joints, and elevated serum transaminase levels. Drugs. com states that elevated serum levels in patients taking this drug were temporary.