SPL Set ID: 5ae53725-1abb-4122-9c85-f26c2c31566c

Acetylcysteine injection is an intravenous antidote for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose. Acetylcysteine is the nonproprietary name for the N-acetyl derivative of the naturally occurring amino acid, L-cysteine (N-acetyl-L-cysteine,). The compound is a white crystalline powder, which melts in the range of 104° to 110°C and has a very slight odor. The molecular formula of the compound is C 5 H 9 NO 3 S, and its molecular weight is 163.2. Acetylcysteine has the following structural formula: Acetylcysteine injection is supplied as a sterile solution in vials containing 20% w/v (200 mg/mL) acetylcysteine USP. The pH of the solution ranges from 6 to 7.5. Acetylcysteine injection contains the following inactive ingredients: 0.5 mg/mL edetate disodium, sodium hydroxide (used for pH adjustment), and Water for Injection, USP. The amount of sodium in acetylcysteine injection is approximately 30 mg/mL. Because acetylcysteine injection is administered based on a patient’s weight, the amount of sodium administered in a course of treatment will vary from approximately 225 mg to 4,500 mg. The use of ½ normal saline will contribute approximately an additional 1,770 mg of sodium per liter of diluent. Acetylcysteine Chemical Structure