Renal protective properties of Mucomyst?

[cyndiangel13]

Has anyone ever heard of mucomyst LOWERING (serum? or renal excretion of?) Creatinine levels AFTER dx tests using contrast agents have been performed? I understand it is used before testing with contrast dye is performed (along with preload of fluids) but I had a patient that had a heart cath/angiography and her Cr levels went up afterwards (she had hx of CRF) and it was explained to me by her primary nurse (I am a student :) ) that the mucomyst was given to lower the Cr levels. Just wondering. Any insight will be most appreciated!!!

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

i looked at the information for it on drugs.com (http://www.drugs.com/pro/mucomyst.html) and all it recommends is that creatinine levels are drawn before and after the drug is given, but doesn't say why. my drug reference (mosby's 2007 nursing drug reference) says that it is used for prevention of contrast medium nephrotoxicity but doesn't explain how.

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

According to a paper put out by our pharmacy dept, noone really knows why it works. The current theory is that it somehow binds to the free radicals which can be produced by the dyes used in these procedures and therefore spare the kidney tissues damage caused by processing them. Along with a whole bunch of mumbo-jumbo that I think only a PharmD could understand! I also have asked nephrologists about it, and got about the same answer.

Basically, it summed up to "we don't know how it works, but it seems to, and with only extremely rare adverse reacations, so it's worth it".

No wonder why my husband jokes about us being witch doctors...