Diagnosed with Bronchiectasis last year - mild. Stopped Carbocysteine over the summer months and just restarted 1 x 3 times a day. Now suffering with bad head pains and extreme fatigue and light headedness. Been taking for 4 days. Anyone else experienced this and how long did it last? Are there alternative mucolytics that do not have these side effects?
Addition - 3 weeks on head feels fuzzy and not a lot of energy.
I can’t tolerate carbocysteine. Your doc can give you acetylcysteine which is an effervescent tablet. Slightly lemon taste . It works for me and suits much better.
Just a thought, when I started carbocysteine I found I had to increase my fluid intake to prevent the headaches. xx
Hi carbocysteine can affect headaches ,gut etc. and it was the same for me I tolerated it for a long time and had terrible dips of fatigue in the mid afternoon. I was changed over by gp to acetylcysteine effervescent tablets 600mg 3yrs ago and its been a revelation no headache or fatigue just 1 fizzy tablet in water in the morning do my clearance techniques and feel so much better for it ,it changed my life .I hope you are able to find an alternative you don't have to put up with a medication that doesn't work well for you, good luck and I hope you feel better soon
My acetylcysteine is now a tablet, not the fizzy drink I started with. Depends on what my pharmacist can get.
Hi, is the tablet also effervescent?
No, just taken with a drink of water
hi l am on carbocystein 1x3times a day although orginally l was on 2x3 times a day l couldnt tolerate 6 tabs aday l had itchy head and face ? now with ony 3 a day yes l feel very tired and occasionally headaches but the tabs are a game changerfor me ...if you can tolerate them advice to keep taken them or at least give them a go
Make sure you are not dehydrated. I have to drink a fair bit of fluid with mine. Other wise feel fatigue, headaches, dizzy even on times. xx
not sure how helpful I can be as I have had headaches, fuzziness and fatigue for many many years - long before my lung condition was diagnosed. I have taken 2 carbocysteine 3 times a day for 4 years now. They do help me and I have never noticed any side effects (but perhaps because I already had those symptoms).
Same diagnosis for me too. Carbocysteine produced loads of mucous. I was also moved onto acetylcysteine like swizzy, once a day effervescent. Easier to take and works for me
Hello, five years ago I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis with pseudomonas bacteriaI colonisation. I have taken carbocysteine regularly since then. I have digestive problems with them, lots of gas leading to bloating, and stomach pain. I need to take a lot of water with them, they do help with clearing sputem, but about once a week I miss a day to give my digestive system a break.
take more water, it also diloutes the phlegm in your lungs. Dehydration makes you feel headaches and out of it. I found pushing through with carbosistine really helped me. It’s worth it.
Carbocisteine side effects I got:Dry tongue, feels like wood
Feverish feeling but temperature is normal
Very constipated
Very gassy
Light headed
Fatigue
Pain in chest especially at night
It was due to gas I took two omeprazole then pain went away & stomach was a bit lighter.
Weakness. Feel very drained out when I take Carbocisteine.
I only take if I need them, they give me severe heartburn.
It's the worst feeling ever when I take these.
Sorry I don't know what is a good replacement for these.
My doctor said there isn't anything else she can give me.
Bronchiectasis Breathlessness and Fatigue...any thoughts..
Headaches
Bronchiectasis and fatigue 
Violent night headaches
Afternoon fatigue and breathlessness
