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 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup
⚠ 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 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup contains the active substance 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 sugar-free syrup is used to treat mucus produced by infections of the breathing passages (respiratory tract) in adults and children from 15 years of age. Carbocisteine is used for problems with the breathing passages. 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 sugar-free syrup Do not take Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup: • •
If you have an ulcer in your stomach or gut (small intestine) If you are allergic to carbocisteine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in Section 6).
Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor before taking Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup: • • •
If you are elderly If you have had an ulcer in your stomach or gut. If you are taking other medicines known to cause bleeding in the stomach.
Children and adolescents
Do not give Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup to children younger than 15 years of age. Other medicines and Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines: •
Any medicines to treat a cough as a productive cough is necessary to remove mucus from your breathing passages.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding Carbocisteine Syrup is not recommended during pregnancy, especially during the first three months of your pregnancy. The use of Carbocisteine Syrup in breast-feeding women is not recommended. The effects of carbocisteine on a breastfed infant are not known, and it is not known whether carbocisteine is present in human milk. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Driving and using machines Carbocisteine Syrup will have little or no influence on your ability to drive or use machines. Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup contains sodium This medicine contains 288.4mg of sodium (main component of cooking/table salt) in each 15ml dose. This is equivalent to 14.4% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult. Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup contains sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate This medicine contains sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
How to take it
Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. • • •
For oral use only. Use the measuring cup provided (marked with 2.5/5ml graduations). Shake the bottle before use.
Adults including the elderly and children from 15 years of age The initial dose is 5ml three times a day; if symptoms improve, your doctor may lower your dose to 5ml, two times a day. The maximum daily dose is 15ml. Children under 15 years of age Not recommended. If you take more Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup than you should
•
•
If you take more Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup than the label states or your doctor has prescribed, or if you think a child has accidently swallowed any, contact the nearest hospital casualty department or a doctor for advice immediately. Take the medicine pack and this leaflet with you. If you take too much Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup you may get an upset stomach (gastrointestinal disturbance).
If you forget to take Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup If you forget a dose, take the next dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Check the dose carefully The amount of syrup needed to provide the required dose is less than for other carbocisteine products. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Stop taking Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup immediately and see a doctor or go to hospital straight away if: • • •
You have an allergic reaction. Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, problems swallowing or breathing, 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 have flu-like symptoms and fever. This may be something called "StevensJohnson 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). 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.
How to store it
Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup Do not store above 25 ̊C. Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Wash and dry the measuring cup after use. Once opened use within one month. 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 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.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup contains • •
Each 5ml of oral solution contains 750mg of the active substance carbocisteine. The other ingredients are glycerol, sodium saccharin, hydroxyethylcellulose, xanthan gum, caramel powder, raspberry flavour, sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate, sodium hydroxide, and purified water.
What Carbocisteine sugar-free syrup looks like and contents of the pack Carbocisteine 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup is clear, amber-coloured liquid, with a raspberry odour. Carbocisteine 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup is packed in 100ml or 200ml glass bottle and comes with a measuring cup with 2.5/5ml graduations.
Marketing Authorisation Holder Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Rosemont House, Braithwaite Street, Leeds, LS11 9XE, United Kingdom Manufacturer LABOMED PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY S.A. 84 Ioannou Metaxa str. 19441, Koropi, Athens, Greece This leaflet was last revised in 09/2024
Frequently asked questions about Carbocisteine 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup
How do I take Carbocisteine 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup?
Carbocisteine 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup comes as oral solution containing 750mg / 5ml. 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 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup?
The active substance in Carbocisteine 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup is carbocisteine.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Carbocisteine 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup, 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 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup 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 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup is indicated in adults and children over 15 years for the adjunctive therapy of respiratory tract disorders characterised by excessive, viscous mucus, including chronic obstructive airways disease.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
For use in adults and children over 15 years of age only.
Adults
The recommended starting dose is 750mg carbocisteine three times a day which is 5ml three times a day (total 15ml/day). When symptoms improve, the daily dose may be reduced to 750mg twice a day which is 5ml two times a day (total 10ml/day). The maximum daily dose is 2250mg which is 15ml/day.
Elderly
The same as the adult dosage.
Paediatric population
Children over 15 years of age: The same as the adult dosage.
Children under 15 years of age: Not recommended.
Method of administration
This medicine is for oral use.
Use the measuring device to measure the appropriate amount. The measuring cup is graduated per 2.5 ml and 5 ml. Filling the measuring cup up to the graduation of 5 ml corresponds to 750 mg of carbocisteine.
Do not exceed the stated dose.
A smaller volume of this product is needed, compared to other carbocisteine products, to achieve the same recommended dose.
4.3. Contraindications
• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
•Active peptic ulceration.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Special warning
This medicine contains sodium methyl para-hydroxybenzoate (E219) and may cause allergic reactions (possible delayed).
This medicine contains 288.4 mg (12.53mmol) sodium per 15ml, equivalent to 14.4% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of the 2 g sodium for an adult.
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. Since mucolytics may disrupt the gastric mucosal barrier, caution should be taken in patients with a history of peptic ulcers. If gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, patients should discontinue medication.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The combination of mucolytics with antitussives and/or substances that dry out secretions (atropinic) is not recommended.
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 breastfeeding. The use of carbocisteine in breastfeeding women is not recommended.
Fertility
There are no fertility data available.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Carbocisteine 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Immune system disorders
There have been reports of anaphylactic reactions 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 overdose. In such cases, it is advised to reduce the dosage.
🇷🇴 Known in Romania as
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
- FLUIDOL 100 mg/5 ml prescriptionCARBOCISTEINUM · taken by mouth
- FLUIDOL 250 mg/5 ml over the counterCARBOCISTEINUM · taken by mouth
- RHINATHIOL 100 mg/5 ml PENTRU COPII prescriptionCARBOCISTEINUM · taken by mouth
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
🇵🇱 Known in Poland as
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
- MukolinaCarbocisteinum · taken by mouth
- Pecto DrillCarbocisteinum · taken by mouth
- FlegamaxCarbocisteinum · taken by mouth
- PulnozinCarbocisteinum · taken by mouth
- MucopectCarbocisteinum · taken by mouth
- Mucopect KidsCarbocisteinum · taken by mouth
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Carbocisteine 750mg/5ml sugar-free syrup. 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 375 mg Capsules, hard Milpharm Limited
- Carbocisteine 750 mg Capsules, Hard
- Carbocisteine 750 mg hard capsules
- Carbocisteine 750mg/10ml sugar-free oral solution in sachet