From the Guidelines
The typical dose of Mucomyst nebulizer when given as a mucolytic is 2.5 mg (0.5 mL) every 20 min for 3 doses, then 0.15–0.30 mg/kg up to 10 mg every 1–4 h as needed, diluted in a minimum of 2–3 mL of saline solution for adequate nebulization. This dosage is based on the most recent and highest quality study available, which was published in the journal Pediatrics in 2008 1.
Key Considerations
- The dose can be adjusted until the desired clinical effect is achieved, unless the patient develops symptomatic tachycardia.
- Administration can be repeated as needed, with the option to use a metered-dose inhaler or continuous/prolonged nebulization.
- Some key points to consider when administering Mucomyst include:
- Diluting the solution in a minimum of 2–3 mL of saline for adequate nebulization.
- Using a spacer/holding chamber when administering metered-dose inhaler treatments.
- Being aware of potential side effects, such as bronchospasm, particularly in patients with asthma or hyperreactive airways.
Administration Guidelines
- For intermittent treatment, the minimum dose is 2.5 mg (0.5 mL) every 20 min for 3 doses.
- For continuous/prolonged nebulization, the dose is 0.5 mg/kg per h up to 10–15 mg/h diluted in a larger amount of saline.
- The total amount of fluid used for nebulization is determined by the particular type of nebulizer delivery device, usually 25–30 mL for 1 h of nebulization.
From the Research
Mucolytic Agent Dosage
The typical dose of mucomyst nebulizer, also known as acetylcysteine or N-acetylcysteine (NAC), when given as a mucolytic agent is not explicitly stated in the provided studies. However, some studies mention the dosage of NAC in various treatments:
- A 10% solution of acetylcysteine was used with a bronchodilator by pressure machine to achieve clearance of tracheobronchial secretions in asthmatic subjects 2
- High-dose NAC (1,200 mg daily) was used to reduce exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 3