Warning

Preferred list (P)

ACETYLCYSTEINE (Acepiro®)

  • Oral mucolytics can be of benefit to some patients with COPD and a chronic productive cough. Treatment should be reviewed after 4-6 weeks. If no benefits are demonstrated, treatment should be discontinued.

  • Acepiro® 600mg effervescent tablet dose is one daily after food. Acepiro® should be administered with caution in patients with a reduced cough reflex (e.g. frail or elderly patients).

  • For further advice on the treatment of COPD and dosing regimens please see the NHSL Guidelines for the Pharmacological Management of COPD.

To indicate the category of a formulary medicine, updated sections adopt the following key:

Preferred list (P): First-line formulary choices.

Total list (T): Alternative choices when preferred list options not effective/not tolerated, or not indicated.

Specialist initiation (S1): Specialist initiation, or on the advice of a Consultant or Specialist Practitioner in this therapeutic area. Continuation in primary care is acceptable.

Specialist use only (S2): Supply via hospital, Homecare Service or a hospital based prescription (HBP) for dispensing by community pharmacy. Not prescribed in primary care setting.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 31/01/2022

Next review date: 31/01/2025

Author(s): NHSL.

Version: Please refer to the introduction section for an explanation of the review dates above.

Approved By: ADTC

Reviewer name(s): ADTC.