Cetylev oral, effervescent

Acetylcysteine is an acetaminophen antidote that helps your body preserve a substance that can help detoxify the liver.

Acetylcysteine is used to treat acetaminophen overdose and help prevent damage to your liver caused by taking large quantities of acetaminophen (Tylenol).

There are other brands and forms of acetylcysteine available, and some can be purchased over the counter. Not all forms of this medicine are effective as an acetaminophen antidote. Treatment of acetaminophen overdose should be managed by a medical doctor.

Acetylcysteine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

You should not use acetylcysteine if you are allergic to it.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• a stomach ulcer;

• a history of stomach bleeding or bleeding in your esophagus (esophageal varices);

• high blood pressure, or if you are on a low-salt diet;

• congestive heart failure; or

• kidney disease.

It is not known whether this medicine is harmful to use during pregnancy. However, an acetaminophen overdose may cause harm to both the mother and the baby. The benefit of treating the overdose may outweigh any risks of taking acetylcysteine. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether acetylcysteine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

In an emergency situation it may not be possible to tell your caregivers if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have received this medicine.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe or ongoing vomiting;

• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or

• signs that the medicine may not be working--upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, upset stomach;

• rash; or

• fever.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.