Carboxymethylcysteine

Carboxymethylcysteine is a widely used expectorant in clinical practice.

Basic Information:

• English Name: Carboxymethylcysteine

• Alternative Names: S-Carboxymethyl-L-cysteine, Carbocisteine, Mucosolvan, Bromhexine, etc.

• Molecular Formula: C5H9NO4S

• CAS Number: 638-23-3

• Molecular Weight: 179.1943 g/mol

Pharmacological Action:

Carboxymethylcysteine is a commonly used mucolytic agent that works primarily by:

• Reducing the viscosity of bronchial mucus, making it easier to cough up.

• Breaking down the disulfide bonds in the glycoprotein of mucus, further decreasing its viscosity.

• Lubricating the inner walls of the airways to facilitate mucus expulsion.

• Promoting the repair of damaged bronchial mucosa, providing a cough-suppressing and expectorant effect.

Indications:

Carboxymethylcysteine is indicated for the treatment of symptoms such as thick and difficult-to-expel mucus caused by:

• Chronic bronchitis

• Bronchial asthma

• Impaired pulmonary ventilation

• Non-suppurative otitis media in children (with a preventive effect against deafness)

• As an adjunct in the prevention and treatment of postoperative difficulty in expectoration and pneumonia complications