carbocisteine

[pom01326]

I have been taking carbocisteine for 18 months 750mg 3 times a day. For the last few months my hair has been falling out, skin feels itchy, very tired and lethargic, sleeping 10/11 hours a night, tinnitus has got louder, bit dizzy. Has anyone had these symptoms?

[peege]

Hi, hair loss, tiredness and lethargy can be signs of hypothyroidism (amongst other things like vitamin D deficiency & pregnancy). What does your doctor say? I've been on this lung disease forum for nearly 12 years and never read of those symptoms being associated with Carbocysteine - have you checked the leaflet for contraindications? I started with your dose in 2013 but down to 2 capsules twice daily since 2014. No problems at all. You really need to chat to your gp, there is an alternative mucolytic available in UK.

[pom01326 in reply to peege]

Thank you. I am 79, so not pregnant. Take Vitamin D. I recently had a thyroid test. I will have to go to the Doctor again. When I last went with these symptoms, he was useless.

[Shirazmataz in reply to pom01326]

you could try discussing with your pharmacist. Hope he/she can shed light on your problem and make some suggestions maybe for an alternative.👍

[zorrodog99 in reply to peege]

my hair was falling out from too much vitamin A. when I stopped my hair got normal again.

[Tiggertheterrier]

yes, although my hair is OK, I do have tinnitus and dizziness on carbocisteine. I managed to reduce the dose to just 1 capsule three times a day, and although still have the sane symptoms they are now mild enough to just about cope with! I have been on it for over a year. Don't just stop taking it without talking to a doctor. Hope that helps.

[Keem59]

Hi. Sorry you're experiencing these symptoms. Have you been to your doctor to run a blood test. We naturally loose 100/150 hairs per day...if you've no bald patches I wouldn't worry...age contributes more to this...sorry don't know how old you are. I think that drug can lower your blood sugar...if so that may cause your lethargy. Have you had tinnitus for a long time?

[Dixy]

Some blood pressure tablets can have this effect. My sister was asked by her hairdresser if she had gone on a BP medication as her hair was thinning. The GP changed the drug and both her hair and BP were fine.

[Lee_Scoresby]

I’m slowly losing hair (with evidence from each time I wash it) but that pre-dated my taking Carbocysteine. So, in my case, there can be no connection.

[armstrong2]

hi l have been carbocisteine 1x3times aday for about 6 months 2x3 times aday was too much due to side affects ie itching but luckily no hair loss but also feeling very lethargic ....just got over a chest infection 2nd in 6 months again but feeling ok now ...consider seeing your gp because of hair loss the tabs may be too strong for you

[Nula2]

Hi Pom, I'm in my early seventies and my hair is vey thin -I have a very wide parting too😅. I'm on Carbocysteine (2x3times a day) but my sister who is also in her seventies has very thin hair but is not on Carbo so I think it's just an age thing. xxxx

[Nor12]

All I can say is maybe cut down to three times a day. Obviously I'm not a doctor but I have found sometimes you have to try these things, I've been in carbosistine for years, was on two four times daily but cut them down to twice daily as just coughed too much

[Topsy-Turvey]

I'm on this and never had an issue. Biotin/ vit B7 is good for hair loss. Always ask about contra indications between meds and supplements.