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

1. What Carbocisteine Capsule is and what it is used for

Carbocisteine 375mg Capsules, Hard (called Carbocisteine Capsules in this leaflet) 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.

2. What you need to know before take Carbocisteine Capsules

Do not take this medicine and tell your doctor if:

• You are allergic (hypersensitive) to carbocisteine or any of the other ingredients of Carbocisteine Capsules (listed in section 6).

  Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue.

• You have an ulcer in your stomach or gut.

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

• You are elderly.
• You have had an ulcer in your stomach or gut.
• You are taking other medicines known to cause bleeding in the stomach.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Carbocisteine is not recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding.

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.

Carbocisteine Capsules contain

• 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.
• Sodium: This medicine contains less than 1mmol sodium (23mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

3. How to take Carbocisteine Capsules

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

Taking this medicine

• 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.

How much to take

Adults (including the elderly)

• Usual dose is two capsules, 3 times each day.
• If your symptoms improve, your dose should be lowered to one capsule, 4 times, each day.

Children

• Carbocisteine Capsules are not recommended for children.

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 product, 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

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. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store

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

Do not use Carbocisteine Capsules after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP.

The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Store below 25°C.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater 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 contains

Each gelatin capsule contains 375mg of the active substance, carbocisteine.

• The other ingredients are magnesium stearate (E572), anhydrous colloidal silica (E551), lactose monohydrate (spray dried), sodium lauril sulfate.

• The capsule shell also includes Titanium Dioxide (E171) and Iron Oxide Yellow (E172).

  What Carbocisteine Capsules looks like and contents of the pack

  Hard gelatine capsules, size “1”- with yellow opaque colour cap and yellow opaque colour body containing white to off white colour powder.

  PVC/PVDC-ALU Blister packs of 120, 30, 18 or 6 capsules.

  Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

  Marketing Authorisation Holder:

  RxFarma, Colonial Way, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD24 4YR United Kingdom

  Manufacturer:

  RX Farma Limited, Unit 3 Colonial Way, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD24 4YR, United Kingdom

  This leaflet was last revised in July 2025 866

  PP000866 Printed Colours

Size mm: 200x280

Date created: 31/12/24

Date modified: 23/07/25

PL 36722/0212 - Carbocisteine

375 mg PIL