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Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Last updated: · Text from the MHRA, as of · About this document

Medicine status: Prescription only (POM) Details

Medicine strength:
375 mg
Other strengths and forms:
Contains active substance:
ATC code:
Similar medicines:

Sources: Original (products.mhra.gov.uk) · About this document

Patient leaflet - Carbocisteine 375 mg capsules

1. WHAT CARBOCISTEINE CAPSULE IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR

Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules contain a medicine called carbocisteine. This belongs to a group of medicines called 'mucolytics'. It works by making mucus (phlegm) less sticky. This makes the mucus easier to cough up. Carbocisteine Capsules are used for problems with the breathing passages (respiratory tract). These problems happen when too much mucus is made or the mucus is too sticky.

Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if:

  • You are pregnant, might become pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
  • You are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Carbocisteine Capsules

Carbocisteine Capsules contain:

2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE CARBOCISTEINE CAPSULE

Do not take Carbocisteine capsules if:

  • Lactose: This medicine contains lactose. This is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you cannot tolerate some sugars, talk to your doctor before taking Carbocisteine Capsules.
  • You are allergic to carbocisteine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in Section 6)
  • S igns of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue
  • Y ou have an ulcer in your stomach or gut
  • Iron oxide yellow (E172): May cause allergic reactions. Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue.
  • Sodium: This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially 'sodium free'.

Do not take this medicine if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Carbocisteine Capsules.

Warnings and precautions:

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Carbocisteine Capsules if:

  • Y ou are elderly.
  • H ave had an ulcer in your stomach or gut.
  • Y ou are taking other medicines known to cause bleeding in the stomach.

3. HOW TO TAKE CARBOCISTEINE CAPSULE

Always take Carbocisteine Capsules exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

  • Take this medicine by mouth
  • If you feel that this medicine is too weak or too strong, do not change the dose yourself, but ask your doctor

Adults (including the elderly)

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

  • Usual dose is two capsules, 3 times each day

Carbocisteine is not recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding.

  • If your symptoms improve, your dose should be lowered to one capsule, 4 times, each day

    Children

    • Carbocisteine Capsules are not recommended for children.

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. If you take more Carbocisteine Capsules than you should

If you take more Carbocisteine Capsules than you should, tell a doctor or go to a hospital casualty department straight away. Take the medicine pack with you. This is so the doctor knows what you have taken. If you take too many Carbocisteine Capsules, it is likely that you will get an upset stomach (gastrointestinal disturbance).

If you forget to take Carbocisteine Capsules

If you forget a dose, do not worry. Just wait until the next dose is due. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Like all medicines, Carbocisteine Capsules can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking Carbocisteine Capsules and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if:

  • You have an allergic reaction. The signs may include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue
  • You have blistering or bleeding of the skin, including around your lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals. You may also have flu-like symptoms and fever. This may be something called 'Stevens-Johnson syndrome'
  • You have blood in your vomit or black tarry stools

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects get serious or lasts longer than a few days:

  • Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
  • Diarrhoea
  • Stomach pain

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

5. HOW TO STORE CARBOCISTEINE CAPSULE

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not store above 30°C.

Store in the original package.

Do not throw away any medicines via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION

What Carbocisteine Capsules contain

  • Each gelatin capsule contains 375mg of the active substance, carbocisteine
  • The other ingredients are colloidal anhydrous silica (E551), iron oxide yellow (E172), lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate (E572), sodium lauryl sulfate and titanium dioxide (E171).

What Carbocisteine Capsule looks like and contents of the pack

Carbocisteine Capsules are yellow and imprinted with 'C' on cap and '375mg' on body with black ink. They are available in blister packs containing 6, 18, 30 and 120 capsules. Not all pack sizes may be marked.

Marketing Authorization Holder

Flamingo Pharma (UK) Ltd.

st1 Floor, Kirkland House,

11-15 Peterborough Road,

Harrow, Middlesex,

HA1 2AX, United Kingdom

Manufacturer

Flamingo Pharma (UK) Limited

The Bloc,

38 Springfield Way,

Anlaby, Hull,

HU10 6RJ, United Kingdom

This leaflet does not contain all the information about your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This leaflet was last revised in 03/2021.

POM

MPLLCAR0375CPCOM

PL 43461/0008

FPLXXX077V04

About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: PL 43461/0008

Last revision stated in the text: March 2021 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

Found a mistake? Tell us on the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Facts about Carbocisteine 375 mg capsules

Prescription needed? Yes, prescription-only medicine (POM)
Active substance Carbocisteine
Strength 375 mg
Pharmaceutical form Oral capsule
Yellow size ‘1’ hard gelatin capsules imprinted with ‘C’ on cap and ‘375mg’ on body with black ink containing white to off white granular powder or friable plug.
How is it taken Oral
Excipients Colloidal anhydrous silica (E551),, Lactose monohydrate,, Magnesium stearate (E572), Size ‘1’ dark yellow hard gelatin capsules containing sodium lauryl sulfate, iron oxide yellow (E172) and titanium dioxide (E171).
Pack sizes 120 capsule
Is it available? Listed as available (NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices – not a record of current supplies)
Shelf life 48 months
Storage Do not store above 30°C. Store in the original package.
Drug group (ATC) Cough and cold preparations, mucolytics
  1. R Respiratory system drugs
    1. R05 Cough and cold preparations
      1. R05C Expectorants, excl. combinations with cough suppressants
        1. R05CB Mucolytics
          1. R05CB03 carbocisteine
Marketing authorisation PL 43461/0008 (first authorised 24 January 2025)
Marketing authorisation holder Flamingo Pharma UK Ltd.
Codes GTIN 5060464500404 · BNF 03070000

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk) and the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 10.1.0 of 12 October 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.