Carbocisteine Explained

Carbocisteine, also called carbocysteine, is a mucolytic that reduces the viscosity of sputum and so can be used to help relieve the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and bronchiectasis by allowing the sufferer to bring up sputum more easily.^{[1] [2]} Carbocisteine should not be used with antitussives (cough suppressants) or medicines that dry up bronchial secretions.

It was first described in 1951 and came into medical use in 1960.^[3] Carbocisteine is produced by alkylation of cysteine with chloroacetic acid.

References

1. 18555912 . 2008 . Effect of carbocisteine on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (PEACE Study): A randomised placebo-controlled study . Lancet . 371 . 9629 . 2013–2018 . Zheng JP, Kang J, Huang SG, Chen P, Yao WZ, Yang L, Bai CX, Wang CZ, Wang C, Chen BY, Shi Y, Liu CT, Chen P, Li Q, Wang ZS, Huang YJ, Luo ZY, Chen FP, Yuan JZ, Yuan BT, Qian HP, Zhi RC, Zhong NS . 10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60869-7 . 43278410.
2. 16460403 . 2006 . Carbocisteine reduces frequency of common colds and exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . Journal of the American Geriatrics Society . 54 . 2 . 378–380 . Yasuda H, Yamaya M, Sasaki T, Inoue D, Nakayama K, Tomita N, Yoshida M, Sasaki H . 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.00592_9.x . 1580116. free .
3. Book: Fischer . Jnos . Ganellin . C. Robin . Analogue-based Drug Discovery . 2006 . John Wiley & Sons . 9783527607495 . 544 .