Making Acetylcysteine bearable?

Nurses General Nursing

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Any suggestions or tricks? Administered by nebulizer as a respiratory treatment, not orally.

Thanks in advance. It seems this is the only mucolytic administered via HHN.

Specializes in Psychiatry.

I don't know about via neb, but as PO grape juice or coke help mask the flavor.

It's the smell that most people can't tolerate.

PO with a long straw helps for PO

Specializes in Peds, PACU, ICU, ER, OB, MED-Surg,.

Po use a lid. If they smell it they are not going to drink it.

Thanks guys, it is definitely the SMELL that is intolerable. Which is probably why there isn't a solution for neb, but it most assuredly noxious and I had to at least ask. I do both of the above for PO :)

Make sure it is given with a bronchodilator as Mucomyst can precipitate bronchospasm.

"Make sure it is given with a bronchodilator as Mucomyst can precipitate bronchospasm"

And make sure the bronchodilator does not precipitate a paradoxical bronchospasm ... It's enough to give me nightmares. Thanks!

Make sure it is given with a bronchodilator as Mucomyst can precipitate bronchospasm.

No when it is given orally it is never given with a bronchodilator. Putting it in any kind of fruit juice sours the juice. Putting it in 6 oz of cold soda, lid on the cup, straw to drink from and no complaints, the carbonation helps cover the smell.

I've heard chocolate milk works well but I've never tried it. Sounds too yucky.

TwilightRN - I asked about neb in my OP which is what GilaRN was speaking about I'm sure. And soda, lid, and straw is what I have always done PO ... I couldn't stomach 6 oz though and I don't think 20 would be quite enough to get that raunchy taste to palatable. I'm with you on the yuck factor of milk and the sour juice.

So really all, just expect to smell rotten eggs for awhile if its given by nebulizer?

No when it is given orally it is never given with a bronchodilator. Putting it in any kind of fruit juice sours the juice. Putting it in 6 oz of cold soda, lid on the cup, straw to drink from and no complaints, the carbonation helps cover the smell.

I've heard chocolate milk works well but I've never tried it. Sounds too yucky.

Yes, but the OP asked about concepts specific to the nebulised route not the oral route. My response was specific to the original question. Regarding oral use for APAP toxicity, an IV formulation exists and I would urge people to push for using this instead of the original formulation.

Yes, but the OP asked about concepts specific to the nebulised route not the oral route. My response was specific to the original question. Regarding oral use for APAP toxicity, an IV formulation exists and I would urge people to push for using this instead of the original formulation.

My apologies ;) I read it wrong. Sorry.

"Yes, but the OP asked about concepts specific to the nebulised route not the oral route. My response was specific to the original question. Regarding oral use for APAP toxicity, an IV formulation exists and I would urge people to push for using this instead of the original formulation."

This IS what I asked GilaRN and I appreciate your very pertinent reply. The oral use of Mucomyst I have seen most frequently is off-label, to reduce the effects of contrast on the kidneys. But honestly, at the moment, I just appreciate you answering my original question ... And am working on accepting this intolerable smell.

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