Coughing is a symptom of many diseases. And for whatever reason he does not appear, he brings only discomfort. Many medications help get rid of a cough, such as, for example, “ACC Long” tablets. The instruction for this tool will help to better understand the principle of its action, the rules and contraindications for its use.
What is the form of drug release?
Cough preparations today can be purchased in several dosage forms - the usual tablets and capsules, syrups, solutions for suspensions, as well as soluble effervescent tablets. And it’s in such an unusual form for an antitussive drug that “ACC Long” is produced. Instructions for use of a cough pill, which must be dissolved in water, describe its appearance - rounded, flat, edged on the edges in a bevel. On one side, the tablet has a medium risk. The medicine in this form is painted white, the smell is blackberry, it can give a little sulfur.
What is the pharmaceutical group of the drug?
effervescent tablets "ACC Long" 600 instructions for their use relate to mucolytic drugs, to be more precise, to secretolytics and stimulators of motor function of the respiratory tract. Such drugs include drugs that help the process of expectoration of viscous sputum that accumulates in the bronchi and lungs of a person by changing its rheological properties. This medicine also refers to such drugs.
What works in the drug?
One of the most popular drugs that help cope with cough is ACC Long. The instruction to it indicates only one active substance in its composition - this is acetylcysteine. It is an amino acid derivative of cysteine, in the chemical formula of which there is a free sulfhydryl group.
It is due to this structural feature that acetylcysteine ​​is able to disrupt the disulfide bonds of mucopolysaccharide chains, as well as activate the depolymerization of mucoproteins contained in sputum. These processes lead to liquefaction of the bronchial secretion, which contributes to its rapid and high-quality discharge.
Also, this substance is an antioxidant due to the work of reactive sulfhydryl groups included in its formula. These elements neutralize free radicals. Acetylcysteine ​​has another important feature - it helps the synthesis of glutadione, which in turn contributes to the detoxification of the body, also being a component of the antioxidant system. All this contributes to the activity of the body's defense system in inflammatory processes.
In addition to the active component, this drug contains the following additional substances that play a shaping and taste role:
- blackberry flavor “B” - gives the resulting drink a pleasant aroma and berry flavor;
- ascorbic acid - vitamin C, which has a restorative, antioxidant, metabolic effect on the body, has an acidic taste;
- lactose - used to improve the taste and organoleptic qualities of a medicinal drink;
- citric acid - enhances the taste of cough tablets, one of the components by which a carbonated drink is obtained from the tablet;
- mannitol - a diuretic that helps remove excess fluid from tissues;
- sodium bicarbonate - ordinary baking soda, which, reacting with citric acid, forms an effervescent drink;
- sodium carbonate - soda ash, prevents clumping and caking of the substance in tablets;
- sodium saccharinate dihydrate - a sweet flavoring additive;
- sodium cyclamate - a substance that gives the resulting drink a sweet aftertaste;
- sodium citrate dihydrate is a regulator of water-electrolyte and acid-base balance of the homeostasis of the respiratory system.
How does the drug work?
Talks about how the preparation “ATSTS Long” (600 mg) works. The active component of the drug is acetylcysteine. This substance has several functional features, due to which, when applied, the necessary therapeutic effect is obtained. Firstly, the structure of this substance has a free sulfhydryl group, which, when interacting with acid mucopolysaccharides of sputum, destroys the disulfide bonds there. This process inhibits the polymerization of mucoproteins, which affects the viscosity of the mucous secretion of the bronchi. Secondly, acetylcysteine ​​activates mucous cells that produce secretions, through which the process of fibrinolysis occurs. The third functional feature of the active substance of the “ACC Long” preparation is the activation of glutathione production - a special cellular tripeptide with antioxidant properties. Due to this feature, acetylcysteine ​​is a detoxification agent, an inhibitor of free radicals that can fight inflammatory processes in the lung tissue and respiratory tract.
Pharmacokinetic features
For the drug “ACC Long”, the instructions for use briefly describe the process of its work in the human body. Effervescent tablets when dissolved in water give a carbonated drink with a characteristic taste and smell. The resulting medicine is taken orally orally. When it enters the gastrointestinal tract, acetylcysteine ​​is rapidly absorbed into the systemic circulation, but its bioavailability is low - only about 10%. Moreover, the drug passes the first round of metabolism through the liver, turning into cysteine. the maximum concentration of the drug will be achieved 1-3 hours after ingestion. The half-life of the drug from the body occurs within 1 hour with a healthy liver, but if the patient suffers from cirrhosis, then this process will last 8 hours. Acetylcysteine ​​penetrates the placental barrier and enters the amniotic fluid and the fetus. It also passes through the blood-brain barrier to the brain and spinal cord from the blood. The drug is excreted from the body mainly in the form of metabolites, only a small amount, together with bile, is removed unchanged with feces.
When is the drug prescribed?
For effervescent tablets "ACC Long" (600 mg), the instructions for use indicate diseases in which it is prescribed for use. It:
- lung abscess
- bronchiolitis of various etiologies;
- bronchitis in acute and chronic forms;
- obstructive bronchitis;
- bronchiectatic disease;
- laryngotracheitis;
- cystic fibrosis;
- otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear);
- pneumonia;
- sinusitis in acute and chronic forms;
- tracheitis.
Any disease in which sputum is difficult to separate can have this drug in therapy. But only the attending physician can prescribe it for use after making an accurate diagnosis.
In what cases should the drug not be taken?
As with any other medicinal product, for “ATSTS Long” tablets, the instructions for use contain information about contraindications for use. This drug should not be taken in the following cases:
- lactase deficiency;
- hemoptysis;
- pulmonary hemorrhage;
- glucose-galactose malabsorption;
- lactose intolerance;
- exacerbation of peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
- hypersensitivity and individual intolerance to acetylcysteine ​​or any other component of the tablets.
Pregnancy and lactation
Quite often prescribed drug to help the body in the elimination of sputum - tablets "ACC Long." Instructions for their use indicate the impossibility of using this drug in therapy during pregnancy or during the period of breastfeeding a newborn baby. Also, the drug is not prescribed in childhood until the child is 14 years old. For such groups of patients, the specialist needs to select the appropriate drugs.
Under control and with care
In some cases, the drug “ATSTS Long” is prescribed for use under regular medical supervision of the general condition of the patient and vital functions:
- arterial hypertension;
- bronchial asthma;
- adrenal disease;
- histamine intolerance;
- obstructive bronchitis;
- hepatic and / or renal failure;
- a history of gastric and duodenal ulcer.
Feasible side effects
To remove the resulting sputum in various diseases, the drug “ATSTS Long” is prescribed. Instructions for use indicate the potential for unwanted side effects.
- bronchospasm;
- hypotension;
- headaches;
- diarrhea;
- itching
- heartburn;
- hives;
- vomiting
- stomatitis;
- rash;
- tachycardia;
- nausea;
- noise in ears.
The appearance of side effects requires the selection of a different treatment technique.
How to take the medicine?
One of the commonly prescribed medications for liquefaction of sputum is tablets "ACC Long" (effervescent). Instructions for use of this drug will allow the patient and doctor to determine how to properly take it. Quite an unusual form - tablets for the preparation of an effervescent drink is not in vain has an additional word in the name "Long". Translated from English, long means long, long. For the drug “ACC Long” (600), the instructions for use clearly indicate that it is taken only once a day. As a definite plus, this feature is noted by everyone who had to take this drug for the treatment of certain health problems. The amount of active ingredient in one tablet, dissolved in a glass of water at room temperature. The resulting drink must be drunk as soon as the tablet is completely dissolved. Although the manufacturer mentions that the medicine obtained can be taken within two hours after preparation. The drug must be taken after meals. A feature of the therapy with these tablets is the need for a sufficiently large amount of fluid drunk by the patient throughout the day to better thin the sputum. Typically, the treatment with the drug “ATSTS Long” is from 5 to 7 days, in some cases, the specialist can extend the time of taking the drug.
Overdose manifestation
All the information important for the doctor and patient contains the instructions for the drug “ATSTS Long”. Effervescent tablets are dissolved in water to produce a medicinal drink. It is difficult to accidentally get an overdose of the drug, since it should be taken only once a day, using one tablet. It is impossible to increase the dose or number of doses of the drug, since there will be no enhancement of the therapeutic effect, but an overdose of the drug will occur. It manifests itself in gastrointestinal disorders:
- stomach pains;
- diarrhea;
- heartburn;
- vomiting
- nausea.
In all cases, symptomatic therapy is carried out, since there is no specific antidote. Clinically severe cases of an overdose of the drug “ACC Long” were not observed.
Complex therapy
As the instructions for use say for the mucolytic drug “ACC Long”, they can be treated in combination with other drugs to obtain a better and faster result. In addition, it often happens that the patient is already receiving drug therapy for other diseases. The specialist should always consider the interaction of drugs if the patient is shown treatment with several drugs at the same time. “ATSTS Long” should not be taken with cough suppressants. In this case, sputum will liquefy, increase in volume for quality removal, but the cough reflex, which is suppressed by certain drugs, will not work. The patient is threatened with stagnation of sputum and deterioration of health.
If the patient needs to use medications based on acetylcysteine ​​and antibiotics, then between doses of these drugs it is necessary to take a break of 2-3 hours so that the thiol group of the mucolytic agent does not disrupt the antibiotic. An exception can be made only for substances such as loracarbef cefixime.
Some features
The instruction “ACC Long” (effervescent tablets) tells about what and how it works in the preparation, in what cases and how it should be taken. The drug is in demand for the treatment of diseases associated with difficult discharge of sputum. But there are some features in the treatment of this tool. since the drug is produced in the form of effervescent tablets to obtain a medicine in the form of a drink and contains a sweet taste component, patients with diabetes should take it into account when calculating the daily norm of sugar.
The drug for liquefaction of sputum is best taken in the morning and afternoon, excluding the time after 18 pm - before bedtime. This is due to the need to cough up sputum from the bronchi, which is impossible during sleep or excludes proper rest at night.
The appearance of skin allergic reactions during treatment with this drug requires medical attention, discontinuation of treatment and antihistamine therapy if necessary.
Even with a course intake, the “ATSTS Long” effervescent tablets do not affect the concentration of attention, therefore, there are no restrictions on driving vehicles, as well as in performing work requiring an increased concentration of attention.
How to buy and store medicine?
According to the instructions for use for the drug “ATSTS Long”, this drug is dispensed from the pharmacy network without a doctor’s prescription at the request of the buyer. But taking it yourself, without examination and diagnosis is still not recommended. You can store the drug at room temperature, after removing the next pill, the plastic jar-tube with the medicine must be tightly closed, eliminating the possibility of dampening of the drug. A drug package may contain 10 or 20 tablets. Depending on this, the cost varies, but with a long course of treatment or the need for therapy with the drug, several family members can take into account that acquiring a larger package will save material resources, since 10 tablets cost an average of 320-350 rubles, while packaging in 20 tablets will cost 400-450 rubles.
Both patients and specialists leave only “recommended” responses about “ACC Long”. People thank the remedy for effective help, ease of use, a rare manifestation of side effects.