Acetylcysteine 600mg S/F effervescent tablets

HERTFORDSHIRE AND WEST ESSEX AREA PRESCRIBING COMMITTEE (HWE APC)

Acetylcysteine as a mucolytic for adult patients for the treatment of respiratory tract diseases

GREEN

Recommended for prescribing in Primary, Community, Secondary and Tertiary care.

Name generic (trade):	Acetylcysteine 600mg S/F effervescent tablets
What it is:	Mucolytic in respiratory disorders
Indication:	Licensed for adults as a mucolytic agent for the treatment of respiratory tract diseases in which a reduction in bronchial secretion viscosity is required to facilitate expectoration.
Date decision last revised:	October 2025

Acetylcysteine 600mg S/F effervescent tablets are recommended:

1st line for patients with swallowing difficulties or with enteral feeding tubes.
2nd line for patients not tolerating, struggling with capsule burden and/or compliance with carbocisteine 375mg capsules or does not obtain symptomatic benefit from carbocisteine and a trial of an alternative mucolytic is considered clinically appropriate.

See HWE COPD care and treatment guidelines for further details link

The RAG status of this medication is GREEN – i.e. recommended for prescribing in Primary, Community, Secondary and Tertiary care.

Version number: 1.0
Developed by: Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation Team, Hertfordshire and West Essex (HWE) ICB with relevant HWE ICS stakeholders.
Approved by: Hertfordshire & West Essex Area Prescribing Committee
Date approved / updated: October 2025
Review date: This HWE APC recommendation is based upon the evidence available at the time of publication. This recommendation will be reviewed upon request in the light of new evidence becoming available.
Superseded version