What it means
Given IV or by mouth, it protects the liver after an acetaminophenuh-see-tuh-MIN-uh-fenA drug that relieves mild to moderate pain and lowers fever.Full entry overdose by refilling the liver's own detoxifying substance; it works best when started within 8 to 10 hours of the overdose. Given as an inhaled mist, it breaks up thick mucus in lung conditions. The oral and inhaled forms smell strongly of rotten eggs.
For the nurse
Oral doses can be mixed with juice or soda to hide the taste. Watch for allergic-type reactions with IV doses, such as flushing, rash and wheezing. Inhaled doses can cause bronchospasm, so a bronchodilator is often given first in clients with asthma; have suction ready for the loosened mucus.
At a glance
| Drug class | antidote; mucolytic |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Acetadote (IV), Mucomyst (older brand of the inhaled and oral solution) |
| Spanish | acetilcisteína |
| Also written | Acetadote, Mucomyst |
Related terms
acetaminophen
A drug that relieves mild to moderate pain and lowers fever.