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Gargalex drug is made in the form of oral powder, with the main ingredient being Acetylcysteine. The drug is used in the treatment of mucolytics in diseases such as cystic fibrosis of the pancreas, bronchitis, ...
1. What does Gargalex do?
Each pack of Gargalex oral tablet contains 200mg of Acetylcysteine and other excipients. This is a drug acting on the respiratory tract, Acetylcysteine is a mucus-regulating substance by the mechanism of dissolving phlegm. The drug acts on the gel phase of the mucus by cleavage of disulfur bridges of glycoproteins. Thereby, it reduces the viscosity of phlegm in the lungs, facilitating the expulsion of sputum from the body by coughing, postural drainage or mechanical methods.
In addition, Acetylcysteine is also used topically to treat the absence of tears. Acetylcysteine is also used to protect against hepatotoxicity caused by paracetamol overdose by maintaining and restoring hepatic glutathione levels (which inactivate the hepatotoxic intermediate metabolite of paracetamol).
Indications for use of Gargalex:
Used as a mucolytic drug in people with viscous mucus disease (cystic fibrosis of the pancreas); Used to treat diseases with thick mucus such as acute and chronic bronchitis, clearing in bronchiectasis; Used as an antidote to paracetamol overdose. Contraindications to using the drug Gargalex:
People who are allergic to Acetylcysteine and people with a history of asthma (risk of bronchospasm with drugs containing Acetylcysteine); Children under 2 years old.
2. Usage and dosage of Gargalex
Usage: Orally. The patient mixes 1 packet of the powder in 1 cup of water, dissolves it, and then drinks it.
Dosage:
Used as a mucolytic agent: Adults: 1 pack/time x 3 times/day; Children 2 - 6 years old: 1 pack/time x 2 times/day; Used as an antidote for paracetamol overdose: Take the first dose of 140mg/kg using a 5% solution. Next, every 4 hours, take a dose of 70mg/kg body weight every 4 hours, taking a total of 17 more times. Acetylcysteine is very effective within 8 hours of a paracetamol overdose and the protective effect of the drug diminishes after that time. Overdose: The use of Acetylcysteine overdose has symptoms similar to anaphylaxis but more severe, especially a decrease in blood pressure. Other symptoms include: respiratory failure, hemolysis, renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. There have been cases of death in people who overdosed on Acetylcysteine while being treated for paracetamol poisoning. Acetylcysteine overdose occurs when the infusion is too rapid with too high a dose. Treatment is based on the patient's symptoms.
3. Gargalex side effects
Acetylcysteine (the main ingredient of the drug Gargalex) has a wide safety margin. However, when using Gargalex, patients are still at risk of facing some side effects such as:
Common: Drowsiness, tinnitus, headache, stomatitis, rash, hives, watery many noses; Rare: Bronchospasm accompanied by systemic anaphylaxis, fever and chills. How to manage side effects: Using diluted Acetylcysteine solution may reduce the likelihood of drug-induced vomiting. Patients should immediately treat anaphylaxis by subcutaneous injection of adrenaline and 100% oxygen, intubation if necessary. In addition, intravenous fluids to increase plasma volume, for patients inhaled beta-adrenergic agonist if bronchospasm, intravenous injection of 500mg hydrocortisone or 125mg methylprednisolone. Hypersensitivity reactions to Acetylcysteine (symptoms: generalized erythema, skin pruritus, nausea, vomiting, dizziness) can be inhibited by pre-administration of antihistamines.
4. Be careful when using Gargalex drug
Some notes for patients to remember before and while taking Gargalex:
Should closely monitor patients at risk of asthma attack if Acetylcysteine is used in patients with a history of allergies. If the patient has bronchospasm, a bronchodilator nebulizer such as salbutamol or ipratropium should be used and Acetylcysteine should be stopped immediately. During treatment with Acetylcysteine, the patient may have a lot of thin sputum in the bronchi, which should be aspirated if the patient has a reduced ability to cough; Treatment of paracetamol overdose with Acetylcysteine in pregnant women is effective and safe, can prevent liver toxicity in the fetus and mother; Gargalex is safe to use while breastfeeding.
5. Gargalex drug interactions
Some drug interactions of Gargalex include:
Acetylcysteine is a reducing agent, not suitable for concomitant use with oxidizing agents; Do not use cough medicine or any medicine that reduces bronchial secretion during treatment with Acetylcysteine; Acetylcysteine reacts with some metals, especially iron, nickel, copper, rubber, so contact with these substances should be avoided. Do not use nebulizers with rubber or metal components; Acetylcysteine sodium solution is incompatible with solutions containing oxacillin, penicillin, amphotericin B, oleandomycin, tetracycline, penicillin sodium or erythromycin lactobionate. When this antibiotic is to be administered in an aerosol form, it should be nebulised separately; Acetylcysteine solution is incompatible with iodized oil, hydrogen peroxide and trypsin. When using Gargalex, the patient should follow the doctor's prescription. Patients should not arbitrarily change the dose or method of taking the drug without the consent of the doctor to avoid serious complications. Follow Vinmec International General Hospital website to get more health, nutrition and beauty information to protect the health of yourself and your loved ones in your family.
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