Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, hard Milpharm Limited
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Carbocisteine may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, hard (called 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 is used for problems with the breathing passages (respiratory tract). These problems happen when too much mucus is made or the mucus is too sticky.
What you need to know before you take it
e Carbocisteine Do not take Carbocisteine if:
- you are allergic (hypersensitive) to carbocisteine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (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.
Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if:
- 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 breastfeed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Carbocisteine contains sodium This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per each hard capsule, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
How to take it
Carbocisteine Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. 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)
- The 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. Use in children Carbocisteine is not recommended for children. If you take more Carbocisteine than you should If you take more capsules than you should, tell a doctor or go to a hospital casualty
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Carbocisteine
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.
department straight away. Take the medicine pack with you. This is so the doctor knows what you have taken. If you take too many capsules, it is likely that you will get an upset stomach (gastrointestinal disturbance).
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister after "EXP". The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
If you forget to take Carbocisteine 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.
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.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store it
Carbocisteine Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
What Carbocisteine contains
- The active substance is carbocisteine. Each capsule contains 375 mg of carbocisteine.
- The other ingredients are: Capsule Contents: mannitol; maize starch; croscarmellose sodium; sodium laurilsulfate, grade K12; colloidal anhydrous silica and magnesium stearate. Capsule Shell: gelatine; red iron oxide E172; titanium dioxide E171 and yellow iron oxide E172. What Carbocisteine looks like and contents of the pack The Carbocisteine capsules are hard gelatine powder. The colour of the capsule body and of the capsule cap is dull-yellow opaque. The dimension of each capsule is approximately 19.4 ± 0.3 mm. The capsules are blister-packed in transparent PVC/PVDC/aluminium hard foil. Each blister strip contains 10 capsules. Pack sizes: 20, 30, 50 or 120 capsules. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder Milpharm Limited 1 Roundwood Avenue, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, UB11 1AF United Kingdom Manufacturer ALKALOID-INT d.o.o., Šlandrova ulica 4, Ljubljana-Črnuče, 1231, Slovenia PL 16363/0493 This leaflet was last revised in 10/2025.
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4.
Store below 30°C.
Contents of the pack and other information
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause Stop taking Carbocisteine 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, 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 longer than a few days:
- Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Frequently asked questions about Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, hard Milpharm Limited
How do I take Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, hard Milpharm Limited?
Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, hard Milpharm Limited comes as capsule containing 375mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, hard Milpharm Limited?
The active substance in Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, hard Milpharm Limited is carbocisteine.
Are there equivalent medicines to Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, hard Milpharm Limited?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, Hard, Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, hard. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, hard Milpharm Limited, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, hard Milpharm Limited without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: carbocisteine
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Carbocisteine is a mucolytic agent for the adjunctive therapy of respiratory tract disorders characterized by excessive, viscous mucus, including chronic obstructive airways disease.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
Adults including the elderly
Dosage is based upon an initial daily dosage of 2250 mg Carbocisteine in divided doses, reducing to 1500 mg daily in divided doses when a satisfactory response is obtained e.g. two capsules three times a day reducing to one capsule four times a day.
Paediatric population
This formulation is not recommended for children. The normal daily dosage is 20 mg/kg body weight in divided doses. It is recommended that this is achieved with Carbocisteine Paediatric Syrup.
Method of administration
Carbocisteine capsules are for oral use.
4.3. Contraindications
• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
• Use in patients with active peptic ulceration.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Caution is recommended in the elderly, in those with a history of gastroduodenal ulcers, or those taking concomitant medications known to cause gastrointestinal bleeding. If gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, patients should discontinue medication.
Carbocisteine contains sodium
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per each hard capsule, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
There are no available data on carbocisteine use in pregnant women. No conclusions can be drawn regarding whether or not carbocisteine is safe for use during pregnancy. The use of carbocisteine in pregnant women is not recommended, especially during the first trimester.
Breast-feeding
There are no available data on the presence of carbocisteine in human milk, milk production, or the effects on the breastfed infant. No conclusions can be drawn regarding whether or not carbocisteine is safe for use during breast-feeding. The use of carbocisteine in breastfeeding women is not recommended.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Carbocisteine has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
4.8. Undesirable effects
The following CIOMS frequency rating is used, when applicable: Very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to ≤1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to ≤1/1,000); very rare (≤1/10,000); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
Immune System Disorders
There have been reports of anaphylactic reactions, allergic skin eruption and fixed drug eruption.
Gastrointestinal disorders
There have been reports of diarrhoea, nausea, epigastric discomfort and gastrointestinal bleeding occurring during treatment with Carbocisteine.
Frequency not known: vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
There have been reports of skin rashes and allergic skin eruptions. Isolated cases of dermatitis bullous such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome and erythema multiforme have also been reported.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions 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.
4.9. Overdose
Gastric lavage may be beneficial, followed by observation. Gastrointestinal disturbance is the most likely symptom of Carbocisteine overdosage.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, hard Milpharm Limited. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
Medicines containing Carbocisteine
- Carbocisteine 250 mg/ 5 ml syrup
- Carbocisteine 250 mg/5 ml oral solution
- Carbocisteine 250 mg/5 ml Sugar Free Adult Syrup
- Carbocisteine 250mg/5ml sugar-free oral solution
- Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules
- Carbocisteine 375 mg Capsules, Hard
- Carbocisteine 750 mg Capsules, Hard
- Carbocisteine 750 mg hard capsules
- Carbocisteine 750mg/10ml sugar-free oral solution in sachet
- Carbocisteine 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup