Acetylcysteine
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate.
It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking
to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you being
given DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate against the benefits they expect it
will have for you.
If you have any concerns about being given this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate is used for
This medicine is used to treat paracetamol poisoning.
It works by reacting with a toxic metabolite of paracetamol to prevent it damaging
the liver.
This medicine is most effective when started within 10 hours of exposure to paracetamol.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is not addictive.
It is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you are given DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate
When you must not be given it
You should not be given DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate if you have an allergy
to:
Any medicine containing acetylcysteine
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin.
If you are not sure whether you should be given this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives
or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
asthma or difficulty breathing
stomach ulcers
kidney problems
liver problems.
Tell your doctor if you weigh less than 40 kilograms.
Your doctor may have to adjust the amount of acetylcysteine you will receive.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits involved
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you are
given DBL™ Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get
without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate may interfere with the results of some urinary
dipstick tests.
Your doctor or pharmacist have more information on medicines to avoid while being
treated with this medicine.
How DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate is given
How much is given
Your doctor will decide what dose you will receive. This depends on your condition
and other factors, such as your weight.
How it is given
DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate is given as a slow infusion into a vein.
The duration of treatment is approximately 20 hours. It must only be given by a doctor
or nurse.
If you receive too much (overdose)
As DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate is given to you under the supervision
of your doctor, it is very unlikely that you will receive too much. However if you
experience severe side effects tell your doctor immediately.
In case of overdose, immediately contact the Poisons Information Centre for advice
on management. (In Australia, call 13 11 26; In New Zealand call 0800 764 766).
Symptoms of an overdose may include the side effects listed below in the ‘Side Effects’
section but are usually of a more severe nature.
Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.
While you are being given DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate
Things you must do
If you are to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that
you are being given acetylcysteine.
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you are being
given this medicine.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are being
given this medicine.
It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
If you become pregnant while you are being treated with this medicine, tell your doctor
immediately.
Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Your doctor may do some tests from time to time to make sure the medicine is working
and to prevent unwanted side effects.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you
are being given DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate.
This medicine helps most people with paracetamol overdose, but it may have unwanted
side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they
are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you
get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they
worry you:
nausea or vomiting
generally feeling unwell
excessive shivering
fever or sweating
pain in your bones
pain and inflammation at the injection site.
bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist immediately if you notice any of the following:
allergic reactions including flushing, rashes, itching, swelling of the face or difficulty
breathing.
chest pain
fast or irregular heart beat
dizziness or light headedness
seizure
jaundice
blurred vision or any eye pain
pain in your face.
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel
unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
After using DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate
Storage
DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate will be stored in the pharmacy or on the
ward. The injection is kept in a cool dry place, protected from light, where the
temperature stays below 25°C.
Product description
What it looks like
DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate is supplied as a clear, colourless solution.
It is supplied in 10 mL glass ampoules, packs of 10.
Ingredients
DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate contains 200 mg/mL of acetylcysteine as the
active ingredient.
It also contains:
sodium hydroxide
disodium edetate
water for injections.
This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo
dyes.
Sponsor
Australia Sponsor:
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
Sydney NSW
Toll Free Number: 1800 675 229
www.pfizer.com.au
DBL Acetylcysteine Injection Concentrate is supplied in the following strength:
2g/10mL x 10 amps
AUST R 121503
Date of leaflet update:
March 2021.