I was diagnosed with mild Bronchiectasis in Oct 24 after having an HRCT following a persistent cough and chest infection since May 24
After I had a telephone consultation with a respiratory consultant I was prescribed Carbocisteine 375mg capsules x 3 times daily which I started on 25December. Since I started these capsules my cough has increased to the point it is making me vomit. Is this normal? I can see no mention of this as a normal reaction and that this is all part of the process to getting rid of the cough. I don’t know what to do, so any experiences, suggests would be greatly received as this is not great! Thank you
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Dixiegirlphyl
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Carbocysteine is prescribed to make the mucus on the lungs very liquid so that it can be coughed up. The idea is to rid the lungs of the warm wet mucus that bacteria like to grow in resulting in exacerbations. It is useful for people who have thick sticky mucus. Not all people with bronch have this problem. I don't find it difficult to get rid of my mucus. I use breathing exercises. Sometimes the carbocysteine makes it so liquid that there is just too much of it and it never seems all to come out. You can feel as though you are drowning in it.It can be a better idea to take less carbo or not at all. Let the mucus thicken up slightly and it will probably be easier to get.out.
Thank you for your reply. I don’t feel that my mucus is thick so not too sure whether Carbocysteine is the correct medication for me. Call to GP surgery in the morning.
The vomiting can be because there is too much mucus needing to come out and it is not being done in a controlled way so it sets off the vomiting mechanism. It will be useful when you get a physio to help you do this. You can find these tecniques on You Tube and it would be a good idea to have a look and a practice so that it is not getting worse whilst you wait for the physio. I have done my own chest clearance for 72 years and self management is the most important thing. Good advice from Patk1.
just wanted to comment on the vomiting. I was coughing so much I too was vomiting. I read an article describing how easy it was to go from a cough to a vomit. I became more careful in how I coughed and it helped a lot. They’ve switched me to Trelegy and it’s been an improvement so far. The cough hasn’t completely gone but a big improvement. You got good advice from Swizzy.
I began taking carbocystine, either 4 or 6 tablets a day, after a diagnosis of bronchiectasis. Personally I find they really help as I have a problem with thick phlegm which is impossible to get up if not diluted. I don’t have any ill effects from the carbocystine and it doesn’t make me cough. If it is this that’s making you cough and vomit, you may have an insensitivity to it, so you need to talk to your gp about it. I gather there are other alternatives. Hope you get it sorted.
Thank you for your reply. I’ve had issues with Carbocysteine and stopped but the consultant said to try again. I’m thinking I might just not get on with this medication. Planning to doesn’t GO surgery tomorrow to get guidance.
I could not take carbo because it made me feel sick. There is another drug called Acepiro which is acetylcysteine. It comes in.600mg tablets . 2 dissolved in water makes an effevescent drink which is quite pleasant. For me it works better than carbo and I don't feel sick. My GP has it on repeat for me. Not all of them know about it so better to tell them.
I had a similar reaction when prescribed this for lung cancer, so I just stopped it . I am supposed to have COPD and cancer. I can't even discuss this with my gp because they will not get involved in any treatment issued by my local hospital. It seems now if we are ill we have to go to A&E and queue for hours while another doctor decides whats best for us or gives another diagnosis after being treated for many years with the same drug. My cough got worse due to cancer treatment advised by hospital, in July this year. I will look it up for you and get back to you with details. My personal advice would be be careful of colourings in drugs ( these are yellow ) and any with a cough know side effect as this will make it worse rather than better. Get back to you if I find anything specific I am not medical just speak from experience of long term lung condition often made worse by treatments.
I'm sorry that you are having such a rotten time. I have never been able to tolerate carbocysteine. My consultant wrote to.the GP to give me acetylcysteine which comes as 600mg tabs which you make into an effervescent drink. They are much more tolerable.You could ask those at the hospital who prescribed the carbo for you to prescribe it. Your GP should not be refusing to talk to you about your chest because you are under hospital care. They have a duty of care to follow you up, know what treatment you are having and support you.
Thank you Swizzy, I thought the system had changed but fortunately the consultant appointment for me is next Monday so maybe we might get something sorted then. The one that makes a drink sounds interesting . I do have a herbal one that works reasonably well but gradually I seem to be loosing control of my symptoms since having radiotherapy.
Hi again, this drug does seem very safe , however the patient leaflet does say if you have the symptoms you describe to speak to your chemist or GP. I am taking a herbal alternative more expensive but it works better for me. Things to thin mucus are available from chemists without a prescription or on line at Amazon, if you do not get free prescriptions they are cheaper. Good luck with this matter.
Thank you for your reply. I’m waiting to speak to GP surgery tomorrow. The respiratory nurse there is very knowledgeable and helpful so hoping she can advise a way forward for me.
Take a look at aluk website at lung clearance techniques- acbt,huffing technique. With carbocysteine thinning mucous,without getting it up,u will cough.maybe try 10-15 mins am& pm.once yr lungs are empty, yr airways shouldn't be so irritated& cough should ease. You'll find best dose of carbocysteine for u.i started on 2 3x day, reducing to 2 twice a day.i increase or decrease,depending on how mucous is
I’m on the list to have see/speak to a respiratory physiotherapist at some point. It would have made sense, in my eyes, to have this at the point of prescription of medication, though unfortunately the NHS doesn’t work like this 🙁
Respiratory Physio appointments are often prolonged unless it's a cancer diagnosis. Then if you have more than one illness it gets even more confused. Good luck
I was prescribed carbocisteine a month or so ago. Like you, I found it made me cough to the point of quite extreme urging and the nausea I experienced was awful….i spoke with my GP regarding side effects, although it was respiratory that requested the prescription, GP was non committal whether carbocisteine was the cause but I stopped taking them and soon improved. Nausea stopped and cough has reverted to my usual cough, no more retching!
Sorry, I should have said, I don’t have bronchiectasis. At the time I was unwell with something, causing very thick mucus which I was finding difficult to clear, hence the carbocisteine, I certainly won’t be taking it again. The expectation was that I would take it permanently, I won’t be!
I think I should add for completeness that I did start taking Carbocysteine back in November and it made me cough so I also stopped. Had a telephone consultation on 10 December and the consultant wanted me to try Carbocisteine again despite my previous experiences, I delayed starting until Christmas Day and the same has happened so I’m thinking this medication just doesn't suit me!
From what I’ve read from varies contributors following my post it’s very much hit and miss with Carbocisteine which isn’t very helpful when you’re struggling. It seems crazy to me that once given any new drug, for any ailment, there is no follow call from the prescriber, appears that we’re very much left to your own devises!!
We are! We also have to be v proactive at times,to get the appointments & care we need.since covid,more than ever so do bare that in mind,and it's applied to my gp surgery & hospital depts too ((. Really with mucolytics like carbocysteine, the prescriber shld ensure we are familiar with + performing lung clearance or we are setting it up to cause probs x
I’ve found that liquid carbocysteine does help me when I am in the midst of a bad viral or bacterial chest infection when the airways are so inflamed and mucus is bad, preventing me from breathing deeply, and the oxygen being absorbed.
However, once that worst thick mucus and inflammation has receded but not disappeared I find it makes me feel like I’m drowning!
So it’s a fine line judging just when the carbocysteine is helping or hindering.
I have requested the soluble acetylcycteine tablets as an alternative, but it is not prescribed by my health authority 🤷♀️ for some unexplained reason.
hi. I too seem to cough more on carbocisteine and I also can’t control my coughs I stopped taking it years ago but early December, when I was in hospital , a medical doctor prescribed it and I seemed fine. Now though I’m coughing away and have lots of mucus. I’ve not taken the carbocisteine today to see how I go. Take care x
I adjust my dose water gazer.i take 2x2 daily but if too thick I go up to 2x3.when it's thinned down or if flooded with it I'll take 1x2 or knock off for cpl days x
I am with Swizzy on this in that I think carbocisteine is to thin the mucus to make it easier to cough it up. Vomiting is extreme end of this but I would suggest you try to stick with the Carbo & see how it goes if not then back to the doc for you. Don’t forget “ better out than in as they say in the respatory department “as a consultant once said to me.
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