Acetylcysteine Solution, USP 20% in 4 mL vials Now Available

Lake Zurich, Ill., -- Fresenius Kabi USA announced today it has launched for immediate availability Acetylcysteine Solution, USP, 20% 4 mL vial for inhalation (mucolytic agent) or oral administration (acetaminophen antidote). Acetylcysteine Solution, USP, has been on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ drug shortage lists since 2011.

The availability of Acetylcysteine Solution, USP 20% in 4 mL vials is the most recent extension of this product line for Fresenius Kabi.  In 2012, Fresenius Kabi introduced Acetylcysteine Solution, USP, 20% concentration in 10 mL vials and in 2013 the company introduced 30 mL vials and injection versions of the product.

About Acetylcysteine Solution, USP, 20% Concentration in 4 ml vials

For inhalation, Acetylcysteine, a mucolytic agent, is used as adjuvant therapy for patients with certain lung diseases including chronic and acute bronchopulmonary disease. Inhalation therapy reduces the viscosity of mucus, thinning mucus secretions. When administered orally, it is indicated as an antidote to prevent or lessen hepatic injury following acetaminophen overdose. Acetylcysteine Solution, USP, is indicated as adjuvant therapy for patients with abnormal, viscid, or inspissated mucous secretions in such conditions as:

• Chronic bronchopulmonary disease (chronic emphysema, emphysema with bronchitis, chronic asthmatic bronchitis, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis and primary amyloidosis of the lung)
• Acute bronchopulmonary disease (pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheobronchitis)
• Pulmonary complications of cystic fibrosis
• Tracheostomy care
• Pulmonary complications associated with surgery
• Use during anesthesia
• Post-traumatic chest conditions
• Atelectasis due to mucous obstruction
• Diagnostic bronchial studies (bronchgrams, bronchospirometry, and bronchial wedge catheterization)

About Fresenius Kabi
Fresenius Kabi is a leading global health care company that focuses on pharmaceuticals and medical devices used to care for critically and chronically ill patients inside and outside the hospital. The company's products include intravenous specialty and generic medicines, infusion therapies, clinical nutrition and related medical devices. Within transfusion technologies, Fresenius Kabi offers products for whole blood and blood components collection and processing as well as for transfusion medicine and cell therapies. Fresenius Kabi expanded its presence in the United States in 2008 with the acquisition of APP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and again in 2012 with the acquisition of Fenwal Inc. (www.fenwalinc.com).  The company's roots go back more than 100 years to the founding of Fresenius SE in Bad Homburg, Germany, where the company is headquartered today.

In the United States, Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC (www.fresenius-kabi.us) markets a broad portfolio of injectable and specialty pharmaceutical products with a focus on the oncology, anti-infective, anesthetic/analgesic and critical care markets for use in hospitals, long-term care facilities, alternate care sites and clinics.