***Thanks Everyone, your help is much appreciated***
Hi, my consultant has prescribed Carbocisteine to thin down mucus so I can cough it out. I haven’t been able to do this for weeks. I’ve taken the tablets for 5 days and they seem to have thickened the mucus however I am coughing some out. It’s making me feel nauseous and exhaused with the constant coughing (sometimes dry). Has anyone had experience of Carbocisteine?
Been on it for years. Depending on how I am doing I either take 2 morning and 2 at bedtime but have the option to take an additional 2 at lunch times.I cant say I have ever had any issues with them, and they certainly help stop the build up of mucas .
I’ve found it has helped but it took a few weeks. I was initially on six tablets a day but have now dropped to four. I’ve had no bad side effects.
I've been taking carbocistine for years and at the start the doctor said to me some people don't get on well with it
But yes it can make you feel nauseous and even sick.... but it means I can breathe better and get less chest infections
I will say I do find the nausea is present when I'm tired and the more tired I am the worse it is ... when I'm well rested it's not an issue
Yes for 6yrs and it increased how much mucus came out ,I reduced the amount of tablets to 3 x3 a day and eventually was prescribed nacsys 600mg effervescent tablets and they are so much better as 1 tablet dissolved in water a day then clearance 15mins later,good for the rest of the day
you do not say what daily dose you have been prescribed. My personal experience is 2x3 daily increased to 2x4 if mucous thickens. Am aware of GPS saying max. daily dose is 6 capsules but my consultant disagrees.
Hi, I'm on them for thinning mucus (2 three times a day) been on them for a few years. They give me a tummy ache and also give me a very dry mouth which keeps waking me at night. Other members take them with no side effects. Mucus is still pretty thick but not so much of it and thins it enough to help with bringing it up.
Hi Nula2, you probably already drink plenty of fluids but just in case & for others interested in getting the best out of their meds..... to loosen lung mucus we can help with plenty of extra fluid particularly when taking Carbocysteine, the moisture needed to liquefy it has to come from somewhere else in the body hence the need to replace it.
To DuranDuran20, it may help the nausea to have food when you take the Carbo. Your body does get used to it. Even an oatcake might help until your body gets used to it. Carbo is brilliant in my book as its essential with lung issues to get that wretched mucus up & out so it can't hang about in there waiting for a bacteria party needing antibiotics, using up our precious immune systems and messing with our guts even more.
I'm recovering from a debilitating chest infection , because getting anything from my GP surgery is nigh on impossible I bought some Solar NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine as BOxermad is prescribed) 600mg to supplement the 2 × daily Carbo. I pulled apart the capsule to pour the powder into water & drank it midway betwixt Carbo doses. Hope that helps anyone else who struggles to get NHS support (🙄) P
Ahh thank you Peege 🙂 I wondered why it made my mouth dry. Knowing the reason is good. I do try to drink lots of water (or watered down juice) but I recently bought some sparkling water as I find I drink more of that (I drink it through a straw). Then I read that because it's carbonated it's not good for lungs!? Any ideas if that's true? xxx
ooo I don't know although it does ring a slight bell. I suppose you could mix fizzy water with flat water to lessen the effects of carbonated. I've never got on with anything fizzy, it always fizzes back up the tubes - except champagne! Mind you I dont find plain water very palatable either. I used to put a bit of lemon squash in it until the sugar tax. Now you can't get a squash drink thats not full of aspartame which I definitely don't want in my body. I dont think people realise what they're giving their kids when it says on the bottle or pack 'no added sugar ' 🙄
Hi Peege 🙋♀️, I drank it through a straw, found I could swallow it better that way. You have helped me realise I have to change my mind set from trying to fight the effects of mucus thinner (with toothpaste & mouthwash for dry mouths etc) to trying harder to help prevent it. However boring plain water is I am going to drink a lot more of it and see how I go. I like the taste of coconuts so am going to get some coconut water that's supposed to be hydrating. Take care and thank you 🙂xxx
What support?!!!!!!!!
Hi Peege just a wee ask about the NAC . I see a lot of people take it on here. I am on carbo and think it’s doing ok but happy to try anything new. Is this a sort of Herbal alternative? Thanks Mona x
Hi, it's probably best to Google it for a clearer explanation than I can give. It's prescribed in UK but we can also buy it over the counter from good heath food shops. I did Google it myself recently before I bought some & the only thing I can remember clearly is that it's an antioxidant as well as used as mucylotic. Its prescribed instead of Carbocysteine. I bought NAC in desperation recently to supplement Carbocysteine whilst ill (impossible gp surgery). It might also be on the NHS website for info. P.
Thank you Peege all good to know bless x
Hi again Peege 🙋♀️, after reading your reply to DuranDuran I have ordered some NAC. Was thinking of lowering my Carbo to 1 x three times a day instead of 2 x three times a day and take NAC in between. Hope you don't mind me asking but would love your opinion as to whether this is OK to do? Thank you 🙂xxx
Gosh I don't know Nula2, we're supposed to get GPs advice when we change med or supplements and it might be a rule that we members must not advise someone to take something not prescribed. I can only say what I personally do and I really was desperate 3 weeks ago for something to help when asthma took a nosedive along with a chest infection. Even getting an answer when I ring my surgery is very rare ("you are 23rd in the queue") - I was waiting for an answer for 95 minutes, then the receptionist interviews me & decides to pass my symptoms to a doctor. When doc rang back I used the last bit of energy to persuade her not to give me 5 days of amoxicillin but a decent antibiotic. She allowed me 5 days of clarithromycin but I forgot to ask her for extra Carbocysteine 😅. I must say that when you buy NAC over the counter it doesn't come with a leaflet like prescribed meds. It's also expensive. I'll keep what's left for emergencies & stick with 2 capsules 2 x daily now I'm on the mend.
Ahh sorry Peege, didn't mean to worry you ❤️. I will wait till I see my specialist in August see what he says, but thank you for your help and for replying 🙂. Sorry you have such a uphill climb to get your carbocisteine. Mine are on repeat prescription and if you can't get to the surgery the local pharmacy will take it for you (feel very lucky for that). Thanks again and take care xxx
Hope ur soon feeling better peege.my gp doesnt have a prob px rescue meds so i always have them at home.maybe worth making appointment with respiratory nurse or gp, firm with whT u need xxxxx
They definitely won't give rescue pack, insist i ring for appt. Impossible to get through to them so take my winter Azithromycin which I've managed to stockpile a little for emergencies. They're maddening so I shall try to change surgery. My neighbour's is fantastic 🙄. Thanks for the support though Patk1 ×
I take 2 capsules 3 times a day . Any problems I clear by drinking an extra glass or two of water ..
Jo. ☺️
I have not tried it myself (and, as others have said, it might take several weeks to be effective), but I have used N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) which is available from health stores (ie, off prescription). My mucous is not thick, but there is some evidence that NAC might reduce mucous production, so you might get some benefit from it if carbocysteine fails. However, it would seem sensible to give carbocysteine a chance first and not use the two together.
I have been taking Carbocisteine since 2017. It does help in clearing mucas but can make your mouth very dry. You do need to drink plenty of fluid to compensate for this. I have never had any problems taking it. I find I only need to take it first thing in the morning. I can usually clear my chest quite easily but do so on a regular basis. Usually about four times a day. Chest clearance is very important in order to help keep free of infections.
Yes,i and many others take it. Perhsps its enablimg thicker stuff to move,it will thin it.what lung clearance method ru using x
Yes. So far not helping that much but early.days. xxx
Tablets have started to kick in now. Felt awful yesterday but not coughing so much today and managing to get mucus out. Hang on in there xxx
Im glad theyre helpinng u now.i take 2 twice a day but im allowed to increase or decrease as needed.ru usimg " lung clearance technique",best at least twice a day.the coughing shld improve.i use acb,postural drainage + percussion.the aefobila is useful too x
hi thanks. Tablets were working but seem to have stopped. Consultant has referred me for a ct scan. Fed up tbh
I have been on 6 a day for several years. These together with ACBT breathing have help me get the mucus up each day, and reduced the number of lung infections I get. The physiotherapist taught me the ACBT breathing technique, your doctor can refer you. I have not had any side effects.
hi thanks. Ive seen a physio and do this breathing technique. Was working to start with but not helping so much now. Need a ct scan now
can’t tolerate carbocysteine or nacys.had severe allergic reactions.Can’t bring up sputum I’m curious if anyone else seems to have dry bronchiectasis not bringing up anything. My consultant insisted I should be . Yet there’s nothing
Its horrible, just coughing forever, completely wears me out. Have CT scan soon so maybe consultant can sort it out. Speak with your medics again, hope you feel better soon.
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