Carbocisteine 375 mg. Side effects

[Bingo88]

Good morning everyone. Hope you are all coping in this heat. Ref the above. I started these tablets 3 tablets 3 times a day for the 1st week last Wednesday so 6 days later I have stopped taking them and awaiting a response from the Respiratory nurse who prescribed them. Basically they gave me very loose bowl movements and also the embarrassing part was the remains wouldn't flush down the toilet .Also had stomach pains. I just like to tell it like it is. So others maybe aware. Take care Everyone. Brian

[sassy59]

hi Brian, I know that Pete couldn’t get on with Carbocisteine because it made the mucus so loose we couldn’t go out. I hope your problem can be resolved quickly and your respiratory nurse is helpful. Wishing you well.

Carole xxx🩷

[Bingo88 in reply to sassy59]

Thanks Carole. Hope your both ok. Once medication starts affecting the normal workings of my body then I wonder what else they are doing inside of me. Take care both and hope you enjoy your day. Brian

[sassy59 in reply to Bingo88]

👍😘🤗❤️ xxxx

[Nula2]

Hi Brian, yes it does that to me too!🤪 I'm on them all the time (2x3 times a day). I take a pro/pre biotic tablet which helps with the looseness. (was advised to take the probiotic half an hour before a meal which really helps) and I wake up with a tummy ache every day but it goes by about mid morning. xxx

[B0xermad in reply to Nula2]

Hi I take biokult 14 which helps

[Nula2 in reply to B0xermad]

Hi, I take Boots own but will look into the Biokult. Thank you 🙂xx

[B0xermad in reply to Nula2]

It's 19.99 for 30 in boots but cheaper for 120 tablets on amazon and recommended by my respiratory nurse

[Nula2 in reply to B0xermad]

👍🙂Thank you xxxx

[peege]

Crumbs, I've never heard of taking 3 capsules 3 times a day! That's a lot, no wonder you had a grizzly tum

[garshe in reply to peege]

I agree I only take one tablet a day xxSheila 💕⚘

[B0xermad in reply to peege]

That was my starting dose in the beginning but hard to tolerate

[Bingo88 in reply to peege]

I am going to wait for my system to settle down again and try taking 1x 3 times a day. And if that doesn't work I shall take no more. The Respiratory nurse told me the 9 tablets a day for the 1st week and it was also on the box. Brian

[AngieB72]

I only take 2 capsules twice a day - perhaps discuss reducing the amount.

[Bingo88 in reply to AngieB72]

Yes I shall try 1 tablet 3 times a day and see how I get on. AngieB72. Hope your doing as well as possible. Brian

[B0xermad]

Hi bingo88 it is a carbocysteine side effect for me too ,I persevered and it got easier but lessened the dosage and 6yrs on changed to acetylcysteine effervescent tablets called nacsys which doesn't cause loose bowels

[Bingo88 in reply to B0xermad]

Thanks for your reply. I shall reduce the dose and see how I get on. I had a bad reaction after 2 days on Amlodipine with lower leg ulcers on my 1 leg and still got the redness and thin skin I have to take care with. But you can't see what medication is doing to your insides. Hope your ok in this weather and keeping as well as possible. Brian

[B0xermad in reply to Bingo88]

Definitely be careful as not all meds suit everyone, keeping cool is paramount for us dodgy lung people .

[Bingo88 in reply to B0xermad]

I think we are all different. The heat doesn't affect me too much and the pollens never bother me even though I was diagnosed via a blood test at 65 years old with Asthma. Which I was surprised about

[B0xermad in reply to Bingo88]

Both me and my husband have asthma and different triggers too

[Bingo88 in reply to B0xermad]

Yes it's difficult to treat because we all react to different meds in different ways. I just take a Trelegy inhaler every morning and it seems to be helping me. Take care both

[PaulineHM]

Hi Bingo88.

Sorry you are experiencing such symptoms after starting Carbocisteine.

The dose does seem high, the starting dose during an exacerbation is 3 caps x twice a day, or 2 caps x 3 times a day and when things settle down then reduce to a maintenance dose of 2 caps x twice a day.

It is a useful medication, which does take about 2 weeks of taking it daily to get into the system and begin to thin the mucous.

Have you spoke to your prescriber or pharmacist about this yet ? Perhaps that might be helpful ?

Go well.

Pauline

[Bingo88 in reply to PaulineHM]

Thanks for your reply PaulineHM. yes my respiratory nurse prescribed the tablets but I did tell her I don't have problems coughing flem up from my chest and it's always clear. It's just I have been left with a morning cough since the freezing temperatures in January when I started with the cough. And I obviously get short of breath after coughing. Thanks for your suggestions and I hope your keeping as well as possible. Brian

[PaulineHM in reply to Bingo88]

Well how very strange that your Resp nurse should prescribe this med then ? Might you ask her why she prescribed them for you ?

You don’t say what your diagnosis is ? I often cough in the mornings and more so in the cold weather, and that is common for folk with COPD.

Taking Roflumilast has been a huge help to me. I began taking it last spring and it has markedly reduced my cough. Once I got through the side effects it began to make a marvellous difference.

Go well.

Pauline

[Bingo88 in reply to PaulineHM]

I seen her for the first time in February because I had developed a bad cough in January with the freezing temperatures and she told me to come back in 2 months and flippantly said the cough might be gone when the weather warms up. Well 2 months ended up being a 3 month gap and she said I might still have infection down in my lungs so prescribed the tablets which is 3 months too late in my opinion. So we will see if they help with a smaller dose

[Zand60]

I started these tablets on the 7th June, 2 capsules 3 times a day ref my lung consultant. I have been blaming the milk, the unwashed tomatoes, my husbands lack of washing his hands, undercooked chicken lol. I was blaming everything except these tablets! My nurse is ringing me today so i will discuss these tablets with her. Thank you for opening up this discussion.

Lesley xx

[Bingo88 in reply to Zand60]

Your welcome Lesley. I hope it puts your mind at ease a bit. Because we all start thinking all things with change of bowl movements. But I always firstly think. What have I been taking differently since I had this problem. I have stopped taking them now. To see if things settle down and then will try again taking 1 tablet. X 3 times a day. Take care and feel better soon. Brian

[Zand60 in reply to Bingo88]

My nurse said this morning to reduce to one tablet twice a day, as I haven't had an exacerbation. I have stopped coughing as much since taking them. I think it's trial and error with our conditions. Enjoy the good weather Brian.Lesley x

[Bingo88 in reply to Zand60]

Thanks again for your thoughts and reply. Enjoy your day too

[Fruityface in reply to Zand60]

Hi - I’ve got the same issues. What did your nurse recommend?

[Bingo88 in reply to Fruityface]

I never heard back from her So I just cut the tablets down to 2 x Tablets 2 times a day. Morning and night and I was ok then

[Fruityface in reply to Bingo88]

Many thanks - I’m going to try something similar. If u don’t mind my asking how bad is your bronchiectasis - I’ve been told mine is mild atm.

[Bingo88 in reply to Fruityface]

I have severe copd and Asthma and also Chronic kidney disease. But I can still walk around towns and supermarkets but I struggle more getting out of breath with hills

[Zand60 in reply to Fruityface]

My nurse said to take one tablet in the morning and one at night but since then I've started taking one in the afternoon too. It keeps the phlegm loose and my nurse says it gives them something to work with.

[Fruityface in reply to Zand60]

Hello Z and 60. Would you mind if I asked you how severe your bronchiectasis is? Mine is very mild and yet I have still been put on 2 3x a day! I am also only a small person!

[Zand60 in reply to Fruityface]

Hi Fruityface, I've been diagnosed with emphysema, severe and pulmonary hypertension. My own fault for smoking all those years, gave up 8 months before my diagnosis. I could last 2 years, I could last 10 years my consultant said.I think they put us all on that dose, it either suits us or it doesn't. Get in touch with your doctor or nurse, they won't know until you tell them.

Hope you get sorted

Lesley xx

[Lee_Scoresby]

The Carbocysteine information leaflet suggests you should tell your doctor if you suspect that your continued diarrhoea is due to taking this medication. There are alternatives they can prescribe.

[Bingo88 in reply to Lee_Scoresby]

Thanks Lee. I shall see how I get on. I have an appointment on Friday so will ask then. Hope your keeping as well as possible. Brian

[Lee_Scoresby in reply to Bingo88]

Coughing like a trooper after a night on the razzle, Bingo88, but still tolerably well, thank you. Good luck on Friday 👍

[Bingo88 in reply to Lee_Scoresby]

Pleased to hear that. I have copd as well and I find just having 2 pints makes me more breathless going upstairs so must be something with the chemicals in the beer. But we all need a good night occasionally. Enjoy your day. Brian

[Lee_Scoresby in reply to Bingo88]

There are no chemicals in beer, so it’ll be something else. Carry on enjoying 😀

[Alberta56]

That seems a very high dose for your body to tolerate. I'm only on one tablet 3 times a week, which certainly seems to keep the infections away. Hope you get this sorted. xx

[Bingo88 in reply to Alberta56]

Thanks Alberta56. I will get things sorted out in the next few days. Hope your keeping as well as possible. Brian

[Alberta56 in reply to Bingo88]

I'm doing my best not to have another fall.😂🙃🥴 xxx

[Bingo88 in reply to Alberta56]

Please take care because we never know how much damage can be done with falls

[Alberta56 in reply to Bingo88]

I have an inkling. xxx

[Biker88]

seems like a very large dose to start with, I started on 2 tablets 3 times a day and after 4 weeks went to 2 tablets 2 times a day, and this is my normal dose now.

[Bingo88 in reply to Biker88]

Yes I was told 2 tablets 3 times a day in the 2nd week and then down to 1 tablet 3 times a day for the next 4 weeks until I seen the Respiratory nurse again. Hope your keeping as well as possible. Brian

[Blackcat99]

I have a prescription for Carbocisteine to be taken 2 tablets daily, but only when required. They do have a bit of an effect on my always a-bit-too-sensitive gut, but nothing like as bad as you and some of the others have described - sounds really awful. 3 tablets thrice daily does sound a really hefty dose - is there’s no chance of reducing it, even slightly? My sympathies, hope you get it sorted soon.

[Bingo88 in reply to Blackcat99]

Thanks so much for your reply. I have spoken with my surgery and they have said to try 2 tablets x 2 times a day and if that doesn't help try 1 tablet x 3 times a day or just 2 times a day. I am very wary of medication reactions because I still have redness and scars from blisters I got from taking Amlodipine for 2 days. But I can't see what affect these tablets are having on my on the inside of my body. Hope your keeping as well as possible and enjoy your day. Brian

[Blackcat99 in reply to Bingo88]

Hi, Brian, I do hope that you find a slight reduction in dosage makes a big difference in comfort. Maybe in future, if a new medication is to be prescribed, you could try to discuss with GP if you could start with quite a low dosage for a week or two, gradually building up to something near a full dosage? A couple of the doctors in my practice are happy to try this approach, and it has usually worked quite well for me, esp with heart meds. (Re Amlodipine - oh, yes, I remember it well Horrible, painful red blisters 😩)

I hope that you soon begin to feel much better - let us know goes out goes? Janice

[Bingo88 in reply to Blackcat99]

Thanks so much for your reply Janice. Yes the Amlodipine was a frightening experience. I was sent straight to hospital for scans to check for blood clots in my legs and lungs. Thankfully all was OK. And put on a course of tablets. But still got the scars and redness just above my ankle on the 1 leg. Yes I am going to try these new tablets again taking 1 tablet x 3 times a day and see how I get on. Hope your keeping as well as possible and coping with the heat. Take care and enjoy your day. Brian

[Caspiana]

Hello Brian. Unfortunately that is a common side effect. I was warned about it by my doctor when I started then years ago. But I didn't have any issue. I think getting advice about it is sensible. Do take care. xx 🌿🌻🌿

[Bingo88 in reply to Caspiana]

Hello Cas. I was only thinking about you yesterday and that we had not heard from you for a couple of weeks. Yes I have spoken with my surgery and lowering the dose and see how I get on. Hope your keeping well and enjoy your day. Brian