Acetylcysteine Coupons & Prices

Looking for an acetylcysteine coupon? Acetylcysteine is a prescription mucolytic (mucus-thinning) medicine and the standard antidote used in hospitals to protect the liver after an acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose. It is available as a low-cost generic, but the cash price can vary widely from one pharmacy to the next, so it pays to compare before you fill. Rx.com checks prices across more than 60,000 U.S. pharmacies so you can find a lower price near you. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price and print or show your free coupon at the pharmacy.

What is acetylcysteine and how does it work?

Acetylcysteine belongs to a class of drugs called mucolytics, and it also works as an antidote for acetaminophen poisoning. As a mucolytic, it breaks apart the chemical bonds in thick, sticky mucus so it becomes thinner and easier to clear. The inhalation solution is FDA-approved to loosen abnormal mucus in bronchopulmonary conditions such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, and cystic fibrosis, and for pre- and post-operative and diagnostic bronchial care.

As an antidote, acetylcysteine restores the body's supply of glutathione, a protective compound the liver uses to neutralize the toxic byproduct of an acetaminophen overdose. Given in time, it can prevent or lessen liver injury. The intravenous form is sold under the brand Acetadote, and effervescent oral tablets are sold as Cetylev. The older brand Mucomyst has been discontinued, but generic acetylcysteine solution remains available.

Acetylcysteine cost and how to save

Acetylcysteine is available as an FDA-approved generic, which usually keeps the price lower than a brand-name equivalent. Even so, cash prices for the same product can differ a lot between pharmacies in the same town, so comparing is the single best way to avoid overpaying. There is no manufacturer savings card for generic acetylcysteine, but a free Rx.com discount coupon can often bring the cash price below what you would pay without one.

Enter your ZIP code above to see today's price at pharmacies near you and to print or show your coupon at the counter. The coupon works whether or not you have insurance, and in some cases the coupon price is lower than an insurance copay, so it is worth comparing both. Note that the IV form (Acetadote) is given in a hospital and is not something you fill at a retail pharmacy.

Related and alternative medications

Acetylcysteine is often discussed alongside the medicines it interacts with or replaces in treatment. If you are managing thick airway mucus, your provider may consider other agents depending on your condition:

• Acetaminophen is the pain and fever reliever that acetylcysteine is used to counteract in an overdose.
• Dornase alfa is an inhaled enzyme used to thin mucus, most often in cystic fibrosis.
• Guaifenesin is an over-the-counter expectorant that helps loosen chest congestion.

These are not interchangeable, and only your prescriber can decide which is appropriate for you. Use the search and price tools above to compare each one across pharmacies near you.

Safety and side effects

The most common side effects reported with acetylcysteine include rash, hives or facial flushing, and itching. With the intravenous form, allergy-like (anaphylactoid) reactions such as flushing, rash, itching, wheezing (bronchospasm), and low blood pressure occur in roughly 8 to 18 percent of people, most often during the first (loading) dose, so it is given under close medical monitoring. People with asthma or a history of bronchospasm should be watched carefully. Rare but serious events, including severe allergic reactions, have been reported in the setting of overdose.

Acetylcysteine does not carry a boxed warning. The IV product (Acetadote) is highly hyperosmolar, so it must be diluted before infusion, and the total volume is adjusted carefully for patients who weigh 40 kg or less to avoid fluid overload. This is general information and not medical advice; talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your specific situation, other medicines you take, and any allergies before using acetylcysteine.