ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/acetylcysteine
US brand names:Mucomyst, ACC
Acetylcysteine is dosed at 50 mg/animal, as a 2% solution Nebulization single neb over 30-60 min; no repeat interval in dogs, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.12, Acetylcysteine monograph spanning p.12-13; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — located 2026-08-05 in Plumb's 10th ed, Acetylcysteine monograph, printed p.12-13; the earlier note claiming no held source contained this figure was wrong and has been removed. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.13, Acetylcysteine monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Breaks disulfide bonds in mucus glycoproteins reducing viscosity (mucolytic). Also a glutathione precursor providing hepatoprotection (acetaminophen antidote).
Dual role: mucolytic (nebulized/oral) and acetaminophen antidote (IV/oral). Bronchospasm possible with nebulization — pretreat with bronchodilator. Foul smell.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | Nebulization | 50 mg/animal, as a 2% solution | single neb over 30-60 min; no repeat interval | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023, held copy; the original seed cited the 9th, which was never consulted) — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.12, Acetylcysteine monograph spanning p.12-13; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — located 2026-08-05 in Plumb's 10th ed, Acetylcysteine monograph, printed p.12-13; the earlier note claiming no held source contained this figure was wrong and has been removed. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.13, Acetylcysteine monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Dog (Domestic) | IV | 140 mg/kg | IV loading, then 70 mg/kg q4h x 17 doses | Extrapolated |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th ed. (2016), Acetylcysteine monograph, printed p. 8 (corpus papich p. 36), Small Animal Dosage / Dogs and Cats: 'Antidote: 140 mg/kg (loading dose), then 70 mg/kg q4h IV or PO for 5 doses.' — SOURCE EDITION: Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs — ISBN 9780323244855, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323244855 |