Introduction

Name

• Acetylcysteine.

Class of drug

• Metal-chelating agent.

Description

Chemical name

• N-acetyl-L-cysteine.

Molecular formula

• C5H9NO3S.

Uses

Indications

• Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic agent which is used to decrease the viscosity of bronchial secretions.
• It also reduces the extent of liver injury or methemoglobinemia following acetominophen toxicity by maintaining glutathione levels in the liver.
• May be useful in the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) (dry eye) Eye: keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
• In cases of abnormal ocular mucus production.
• In the treatment of stromolytic ulcers where the drug may have an anticollagenase activity.

Administration

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.

Other sources of information

• BSAVA Small Animal Formulary. Ramsey I (2017) 9th edn.