Dyspnea and cough are common symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)[A231169] and other respiratory conditions characterized by increased mucus production. Individuals with COPD have a greater risk of pulmonary infection due to the growth and accumulation of viruses and bacteria in thick bronchial mucus. Carbocisteine is a mucolytic drug that alleviates respiratory symptoms and infections by reducing the viscosity of mucus, allowing it to be expelled.[L32383] Several licenses for this drug were withdrawn following serious and fatal paradoxical effects after carbocisteine therapy in children; respiratory dress, dyspnea, and cough aggravation were reported by physicians in France and Italy.[A230993] Carbocisteine is currently not FDA or Health Canada approved, but is approved for use in Asia, Europe, and South America.
Synonyms
L-carbocysteine
S-carboxymethyl-L-cysteine
(L)-2-Amino-3-(carboxymethylthio)propionic acid
L-3-((carboxymethyl)thio)alanine
S-carboxymethylcysteine
Carbocisteine lysine
S-(carboxymethyl)-(R)-cysteine
carbocisteína
Carbocisteine
(R)-S-(carboxymethyl)cysteine
Indication
Carbocisteine is indicated over the counter and in prescription formulas to clear airway secretions in conditions associated with increased mucus.[L24484,L24984,L20019]
Drug Info/Drug Targets: DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs. Knox C, Law V, Jewison
T, Liu P, Ly S, Frolkis A, Pon A, Banco K, Mak C, Neveu V, Djoumbou Y, Eisner R, Guo AC, Wishart DS.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan; 39 (Database issue):D1035-41. | PMID:21059682
