ACC for dry and wet coughs

Cough always has a debilitating effect on a person. Cough causes unpleasant physical sensations, and it also always leads to psychological discomfort. Many people are familiar with the situation when a suffocating cough and sore throat catch a person in the most inappropriate situation: in transport, at a business meeting, at a lecture, or simply during an important event. Moreover, often a person’s recovery and inability to go to work, close a sick leave, occurs precisely as a result of the fact that the cough does not go away for a sufficiently long period of time (despite the fact that the main symptoms of the disease have long ceased to bother the person). Cough can persist for several weeks after recovery from colds, inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract. It is interesting that cough can accompany various diseases: pneumonia, bronchitis, tonsillitis, tracheitis. It can develop with equal probability with viral, bacterial, and even allergic diseases. It is not always possible to get rid of it. However, at present, ACC for cough can help with this. It stands for acetylcysteine acid.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the second most popular drug for the treatment of acute cough in Germany with 23.5% of the OTC market share in 2015 (source: IMS OTC report) [ 1 ]

Indications ACC for cough

ACC for wet and dry cough is known to many of us. It helps a person get rid of such symptoms as severe cough, burning, soreness, enlargement and pain in the lymph nodes, snoring at night. There is probably not a single person who has not taken ACC at least once in his life. The range of indications for its use is quite wide. It is recommended for any diseases of the upper respiratory tract (especially if this condition is accompanied by intense pain, cough, runny nose). It helps with redness of the throat, inflammation of the tonsils and lymph nodes, a sharp increase in temperature, [ 2 ] in the treatment of COPD. [ 3 ]

Effectively relieves, prevents complications and relapses of cough. The active substance prevents congestion, accelerates metabolic processes. Recovery occurs much faster. It has been used in both therapeutic and pediatric practice for a long time.

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Release form

ACC is available in the form of tablets, granules and syrup for children. Effervescent tablets, designed to dissolve in water. White, with a score line on one side. It has a pleasant blackberry aroma, but some note a rather noticeable smell of sulfur. Granules are available in bags (foil). Sold in a cardboard box, 20 bags. Dissolve in water. Sweet syrup with lemon, orange and blackberry aroma is available for children.

• Effervescent cough tablets ACC

One of the most convenient and favorable pharmaceutical forms that are prescribed to provide therapeutic effects. It is especially often used in therapeutic practice, otolaryngology, phthisiology, pulmonology. You can take up to three ACC tablets per day. Effervescent cough tablets are not recommended for children. They are also not recommended for use by people suffering from lactase deficiency, with glucose-galactose malabsorption. Diabetes mellitus may act as a contraindication.

• ACC cough syrup

ACC in syrup form is intended for children. It helps against cough quite quickly. There are contradictory data in the literature regarding the age from which this remedy can be given. Some doctors are inclined to believe that the drug can be taken from 2 years old, while others believe that it is better not to give it until the child reaches 5 years of age. In any case, it is recommended to give the child 100 mg at a time. The package contains a measuring spoon along with the syrup. One measuring spoon contains 5 ml of solution, which is equal to a single dose.

• ACC cough powder

It is a white powder. This is a semi-finished dosage form. To fully prepare the ACC cough remedy, you need to pour all the powder contained in the package into a glass or cup, fill it with warm water, and stir until it dissolves completely. You need to drink it completely. It is advisable to do this before the solution cools down. You also need to make sure that there are no undissolved grains left at the bottom, since the effectiveness of the drug will decrease sharply. To ensure control, it is recommended to use a transparent glass, which should be dissolved in a glass of warm water before use. One sachet contains a single dose.

• ACC long

This is the newest form of the classic drug - ACC. It has been improved to achieve a longer mechanism of action. This is achieved by slightly changing the drug's medicinal formula. Contains 600 mg, that is, the daily dose. It is enough to drink one tablet (1 sachet).

• Children's ACC

Children under 2 years of age are given only syrup (according to the instructions). From the age of two, both tablets and granules can be given. But it is still better to use syrup. As for tablets and granules, they are dissolved in water, just like for adults. From 2 to 5 years, half the standard dose per day is prescribed (300 mg), from 5 to 12 years - 400-500 mg per day. After 12, 600 mg per day is allowed. For safety reasons, the method of application, optimal doses should be selected exclusively by a doctor.

Pharmacodynamics

If we talk about pharmacodynamics, the first thing to pay attention to is that it relieves inflammation, restores the body, stimulates metabolic processes, and increases immunity. Additionally, it has an antipyretic effect and a mild pain-relieving (analgesic) effect.

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Pharmacokinetics

Speaking about pharmacokinetics, we note that the active substance included in the drug exhibits affinity for alveolar tract receptors.

Due to its lytic properties, it changes the physicochemical properties, viscosity and consistency of sputum, surfactant. This makes it more liquid, as a result of which it is easier to remove. It liquefies sputum, removes it. By stimulating receptors, it increases coughing, which also promotes reflex sputum discharge. It accumulates in bronchopulmonary tissue, penetrates the alveoli and bronchioles after 1-2 hours after administration. The peak concentration is detected after about 2-3 hours. Then the substance begins to distribute throughout the tissues and biological fluids, exerting a therapeutic effect on the entire body. It is excreted by the kidneys. [ 9 ], [ 10 ]

Dosing and administration

Prescribed for internal use. If we are talking about tablets, one tablet should be dissolved, if we are talking about granules, one sachet is dissolved. The standard single dose is 200 mg for an adult (one tablet or sachet). 600 mg is allowed per day.

Application for children

Syrups are produced. They are prescribed regardless of the etiology of the cough. It is effective if the cough is caused by a bacterial process, and if the cough is caused by a viral process, and even an allergic process. In no case should you decide to prescribe this drug to children on your own, since it is dangerous due to serious consequences and complications. Use for children has its own specifics, so you must consult a doctor. [ 16 ]

Use ACC for cough during pregnancy

It is generally believed that the use of any medications is contraindicated during pregnancy. But if the inflammatory process, cough begins to progress, it is allowed to take (the consequences of cough will be much more serious than all possible risks of therapy). N-acetylcysteine is a well-tolerated drug that can be a potentially effective method of treating cough during pregnancy. The dosage is individual. [ 11 ], [ 12 ] To date, there is no data on whether ACC affects the fetus. [ 13 ]

Contraindications

There are not many contraindications, but they are all quite serious. Basically, any serious pathologies of the lungs and digestive system, the postoperative period are considered contraindications. It is worth refraining from taking ACC in case of exacerbation of ulcers and duodenum, with ulcerative gastritis, as well as with pulmonary, gastric, intestinal bleeding, hemoptysis, with the appearance of blood impurities in sputum. This is primarily due to the fact that the drug thins the blood. This should be taken into account by people with blood clotting disorders. Strict contraindication - hemophilia, a tendency to bleeding.

It is not recommended for use in cases of renal failure, diseases in the acute stage. It also puts a strain on the urinary system, the drug can cause intoxication, edema syndrome, hypertension, tachycardia, so it should be taken with caution in kidney diseases. For the same reason, it should not be prescribed to pregnant women, children under 3 years old, with increased individual sensitivity (if it is possible to refrain from taking it, it is better not to take it). It is also not recommended in case of histamine intolerance.

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Side effects ACC for cough

It is considered a relatively safe drug, so side effects are rare. Kidney and liver disorders, urinary or bile excretion disorders, and digestive disorders are possible. If you are prone to allergic reactions, edema, dermatitis, eczema, and urticaria may develop. If you are prone to bleeding, bleeding may develop, since the drug reduces blood clotting.

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Overdose

Overdose is accompanied by digestive disorders, respiratory system disorders, bleeding. Nausea and flatulence develop. Sometimes signs of poisoning are observed. In order to provide emergency care, it is necessary to induce vomiting as quickly as possible, wash out the stomach. This will eliminate the substance from the body. Then you should call an ambulance, having previously informed the dispatcher about possible poisoning, overdose.

Interactions with other drugs

It should be taken into account that this pharmacological group of drugs reduces the activity of antiseptics and antibacterial drugs, and increases the activity of nitroglycerin. It is relatively well tolerated by the body. No specific interaction with other drugs has been registered. There is data: it can react with antiviral agents, but they have not been officially confirmed.

In the study, both groups of people treated with fluticasone and salmeterol and placebo showed that N-acetylcysteine had a synergistic effect with these drugs. The authors suggested that the antioxidant effects of this drug were responsible for its therapeutic effects. [ 17 ]

Storage conditions

ACC should be stored in the original packaging. Usually, storage conditions are specified in the instructions. You can store the drug at room temperature, or in the refrigerator, on the door, on the bottom shelf (children's syrup). The temperature should not exceed 25 degrees. Direct sunlight should not fall on the packaging.

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Shelf life

It can be stored for two years from the date of production. The drug should be thrown away if the expiration date has expired, since there will be no effect from the treatment. Opened syrup is stored for no more than a month.

Analogues

The closest analogues are Linkas, Erespal, Doctor Mom, Ambroxol, Ambrobene, Bronchobos, Bromhexine, Mucaltin.

• Bronchobos

Belongs to the group of antitussive, mucolytic agents. Indications for use include diseases such as tracheobronchitis, bronchitis, severe cough. It is used to relieve bronchospasm and asthma attacks.

• Bromhexine

It acts quickly, since its main mass accumulates in the lung tissue. It is better to prescribe it for chronic pathologies, since it acts for quite a long time, while providing maximum therapeutic effect. The mechanism of action consists in liquefying sputum. Plenty of drinking is required.

• Ambroxol

The drug starts working immediately after taking it, the duration of action is 6-12 hours. The main action is secretomotor, secretolytic, expectorant. Stimulates serous cells, increasing their activity. Sputum becomes more liquid. Promotes normalization of patency, elimination of inflammatory and infectious processes. There is a direct effect on the alveoli, alveolar cells and pneumocytes. It is characterized by absolute bioavailability.

• Mucaltin

Promotes the removal of phlegm, relieves inflammation. Stimulates the production of local immunoglobulin, interferons, reduces bronchial reactivity. The action of this substance is aimed at restoring the carbohydrate metabolism of the macroorganism. It is considered as a complex antitussive drug.

Reviews

It can be noted that positive reviews prevail. Negative reviews are extremely rare. In addition, it was found that negative reviews are observed only when the drug is used incorrectly, or when the dosage is exceeded. ACC for cough significantly alleviates the condition, quickly relieves cough (dry, wet), eliminates pain, inflammation, prevents complications, reduces temperature. The drug has the ability to dissolve phlegm, remove it, stimulating cough. It acts quickly. In 2-3 days, cough and nasal congestion are reduced. It is used by both children and adults. Children really like the syrup, because it is sweet, tasty, with a pleasant aroma. Adults are suitable for tablets, powder. Full recovery usually occurs on the 5th day, this is the minimum course of treatment.

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