Could anyone tell me if they have had stomach problems whilst taking Carbocistene please?
I lost my appetite a fortnight ago and am experiencing unpleasant stomach sensations. My doctor prescribed first Buscopan then a stomach acid inhibitor but nothing helps.
I googled Carbocistene and it sounds as if it could be responsible but has anyone on the forum had any experiences like mine?
Yes I can't tolerate it at all. My consultant suggested using NAC effervescent tablets, not available on prescription but I find that nebulising with .9% saline helps as much
Thanks Littlepom. Can I buy a nebuliser or is it something you have to get on prescription? Is it a machine or just a small device?
Your consultant should be able to give you a nebuliser and tell your GP to prescribe the saline for you. You can buy nebulisers from various companies online. They are small machines which convert the saline to vapour and help to get it deep into the lungs to make the mucus thinner.
That is brilliant thank you!
My nacsys is on prescription little pom
That is very interesting a it is still unlisenced in the UK for bronchiectasis which I have.
Same here as I have bronchiectasis too but its the nacsys 600mg effervescent tablets and acepiro effervescent as well not hard capsules through nhs
Do you not have them prescribed through your GP then Boxermaid? How do you get them?
Through the gp,because I was on carbocysteine for 6yrs they transferred me onto nacsys 600mg effervescent tablets, and I was unsure at first but they are miles better
Brilliant. Thanks!
I will have to take it up with my con. I suppose that I haven't bothered because I don't need them or carbocysteine.
I had these on prescription until earlier this year, when there were supply issues. There were no problems getting them at the time on prescription
Hi Littlepom. I take ACEPIRO 600mg effervescent tablets. My consultant offered tablets 3x a day or 1x effervescent. He wrote to my g.p. and I have them on a repeat prescription. I don't know if this might help?
Forgot to mention, I have Bronchiectasis. And asthma.
Thankyou
Sorry you can't tolerate this drug. I've been on it for years with no side effects. Just shows we are all different. I hope your GP can find a suitable substitute.
Thank you for replying. I hope so too.
Hi, I was prescribed this (2 three times a day). It gave me stomach problems and I think it thinned my mucus too much so it was getting stuck in my throat because it was like trying to bring up string, that was quite scary! I stopped taking it for a while but now take just two a day (one with breakfast & one with dinner). Still get tummy ache/problems so not ideal but mucus is better to bring up. Hope you can find a solution that suits you as we all seem to have different experiences with it. 🙂xxx
Thank you! Littlepom has suggested effervescent tablets or nebulised saline so I’m going to follow that up. Could either of those help you maybe?
Thank you 🙂I'm seeing my consultant in January so will talk to him about it. BTW meant to say I take a probiotic tablet at the same time as the Carbo seems to help a little bit. 🙂
Nope, no stomach issues at all and I have a very sensitive tum. 10s year on it I think and I certainly notice it if I try to stop it.
Edit: many people take NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) instead of Carbocysteine. It sometimes comes in soluble powder form.
Thanks for your help!
I’ve been on it for 3 years with no side effects, thankfully.
Thanks for replying Seal59
Hi yes cramps and upset stomach are usual for me when I was taking them,I have since changed to acetylcysteine effervescent tablets
Thanks for replying . I’ll ask my GP about them. How many times a day do you take them and do you take them every day forever or just when you have an exacerbation?
Hi every day in the morning in a glass of water as a dissolvable tablet all year round
Thank you!
Hi my consultant mentioned this but decided against prescribing it me as known to aggrevate reflux and tummy issues. X
Both of which I have anyway but have worsened considerably! Thank you. So useful
I have been on it a while with no problems, although I did loose my sense of taste but don’t know if it was carbocistein. It’s coming back now. Just make sure you don’t take it on an empty stomach although I do all the time!
I take ,3 morning 3 lunchtime & 3 teatime. I've never had any stomach problems of any kind of side effects so sorry to hear about your issues
interesting observation! I have had problems with my gut now on and off for awhile, and always put it down to my medication, but not in particular to the carbocistine!
If you manage to get any further insight, please let us know!
Take good care
Shall do thanks!
I take them have done for s long time, with no problems Trish
Hi, I have been using this for a short while. One capsule twice a day. I take Omeprazole 20mg daily for another condition so this may help to prevent stomach issues. I did experience some reflux after a couple of weeks. Thought it could be the Carbocisteine. I stopped taking it then started again three days later. No issues since. Don't start a nebuliser unless prescribed by your GP!
I changed from tablet form to liquid for carbocisteine and found that it upset my stomach. That said, most of the tabelt form of carbocisteine contain sodium laureth solfate which is carcogenic with the exception of the Accord brand but they are no longer manufacturing the tablet form. There is only one manufacturer of the liquid form, i.e. Roma that doesn't sweeten the liquid with saccharin etc. which I find nauseating.
Hi l have been on Carbocistene for many years it does upset my stomach a little bit at times but helps my bronchiectasi and thins my mucus so l am staying on it for now l also have saline with a nebuliser which was suppliedby my consultant. Hope you get some help finding the right medication
Thanks!
Replying a bit late, but I’ve had no problems tolerating Carbocysteine. The only practical issue is the amount of empty blister pack waste I produce, which I feel responsible for. That means I have to find a good reason to drive to a town 12 miles away in order to safely dispose of the mountain of plastic in a Superdrug pharmacy.
yes I had awful stomach problems but took me a while to realise it was carbocysteine.
In the end my tongue was swelling and constant diarrhoea,.
Immediately knew was not tolerating nacys much to the disdain of my sneering consultant .
That’s awful. I’ve got a constantly rolling gnawing stomach and no appetite. I’ve stopped taking the Carbocistene and am going to ask my GP about the effervescent tablets you can take according to this forum, or nebulised saline which Littlepom suggested. Have you found a suitable alternative?
hi the effervescent tablets are nacys and I had immediate problems tried taking them 3 different occasions and they made me nauseous. Good luck give it a try
Oh dear. That’s not good news. I don’t want to go from the frying pan into the fire!
Yes when I was taking it it gave me terrible stomach problems that went away when I stopped taking it
I’ve switched to effervescent Acetylcysteine tablets once a day and find it much better for me.
What is sinus tachycardia 
Lower limb swelling
Copd diagnosis 5 years ago now diagnosed with asthma as well 
Lung reduction op!
What can I do to help myself please?
