Mucodyne is mucolytic medicine that is commonly prescribed for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (usually abbreviated to COPD). Developed and marketed by Sanofi pharmaceutical company, Mucodyne can be bought in two forms – syrup and standard hard capsule.

What’s on this page?

As opposed to many other medications commonly issued to people affected by COPD within the UK, Mucodyne works by breaking down excess phlegm produced and accumulated in the respiratory tract, thus removing physical obstructions for easier breathing. As such, this medication has achieved exceptional results, proving its safety and reliability in the treatment and management of COPD.

How is COPD treated?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD for short, is not a single medical condition, but an umbrella term, denoting various closely related illnesses localised to the respiratory tract and marked by symptoms such as shortness of breath (especially during and after physical exertion), narrowing and hardening of the airways as well as the production of excess phlegm in the respiratory tract.

While it is commonly caused by repeated and prolonged exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke, pollutants or chemical fumes, roughly 10% of those affected won’t be able to point to any specific cause behind their condition. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that COPD treatments usually aim to treat the symptoms of the condition, facilitating easier breathing. COPD medications available on the UK market will achieve this goal in several different ways.

How does Mucodyne work?

Mucodyne is classified as a mucolytic. Based on carbocisteine as an active ingredient, it facilitates easier breathing by breaking down and reducing the thickness of the mucus present in the airways. This not only facilitates easier breathing, but also makes it easier for those affected by COPD to expel the mucus by coughing. Subsequently, the airways will be clear from physical obstacles, allowing normal and easier breathing to resume.

With this mechanism of action, Mucodyne is rather efficient and safe COPD treatment, but is not equally applicable in all possible scenarios which brings the doctor’s assessment of the condition back to focus. While Mucodyne will efficiently clear the airways from excess mucus, it will not be able to contribute to relaxation of the smooth muscle tissue lining the airways, which is something other COPD medications are better suited for.

Can I buy Mucodyne online in the UK?

Yes, it is possible to buy this COPD medicine online in the UK. However, you should keep in mind that Mucodyne is a prescription-only medication and as such it can be obtained only with a valid prescription issued by a certified medical professional. While this can usually be accomplished through any online clinic operating in the UK, in case of COPD, the doctors employed at the clinics tend to be much more careful due to higher risk of misdiagnosing the condition. Because of this you might be asked to first talk to a doctor in person and only then order Mucodyne online.

However, regardless of this, you will likely still be asked to fill in a customised and detailed medical questionnaire online, so that the doctor can assess your suitability for Mucodyne. If everything checks out, the medication will be sent from the partner pharmacy to the address you provided during the sign up process. The medication will be delivered within the timeframe specified by the online clinic of your choice.

How is Mucodyne used?

Regardless of whether you are looking to buy Mucodyne syrup or Mucodyne pills, this medicine is very easy to use. Your prescriber will surely provide you with some of the most basic guidelines, while a more in-depth instruction can be found in the official patient information leaflet that is issued within every pack of the medicine.

Below, you will find some of the most important things you should keep in mind when using Mucodyne. However, you should note that the text that follows cannot be used as a substitute for official information and is here just so you could get a better understanding of what treatment with this medication will involve.

  • Always take exactly as prescribed
  • The usual dose for Mucodyne syrup is one 15ml spoonful three times daily
  • The usual starting dose for Mucodyne hard capsules is two capsules three times daily
  • The dose for capsules will be decreased to one capsule four times per day once significant improvement has been made
  • Never exceed the prescribed amount
  • If you miss a dose, don’t try to compensate – instead just continue with the treatment as usual

Please keep in mind that these are just central points – for detailed guidelines, please refer to the official patient information leaflet.

What are Mucodyne side effects?

While Mucodyne is a relatively safe medication, certain side effects are possible and it is important to get familiar with them prior to commencing treatment. By doing so, you will be able to easily differentiate between those side effects that are unpleasant benign and those which can be very dangerous and will require you to halt treatment and seek immediate medical attention.

The latter group includes the following:

  • Persistent vomiting
  • Blood in vomit
  • Symptoms of an allergic reaction
  • Rash
  • Difficulties breathing or swallowing
  • Swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue
  • Blistering or bleeding of the skin
  • Bleeding and damage to the skin around lips, eyes, mouth, nose or genitals
  • Fever

Is Mucodyne safe for me?

As all other prescription medications, Mucodyne will not be suitable for everybody. Patients who have a gut or stomach ulcer as well as those who might be lactose intolerant should not be using this medication. In order to prevent complications like these, it is of crucial importance to disclose all the relevant information during your consultations with a doctor.

Mucodyne is also not suitable for women who are pregnant, especially during the first three months of pregnancy, while it can be used by women who are breastfeeding, but only if the use of the medication is considered absolutely necessary by the doctor.