The Effects of Mucolytic Agents N-Acetylcysteine and Erdosteine on Hemostasis in Humans.

Abstract

There are some indications in a few studies on animals and humans that the mucolytic agents N-acetylcysteine and erdosteine have a disruptive effect on the coagulation cascade. This study aimed to examine the effects of both erdosteine and N-acetylcysteine on the coagulation pathway.

Materials and methods: The research was conducted on patients treated with N-acetylcysteine (600 mg/day) or erdosteine (600 mg/day) for 7-14 days. To evaluate the coagulation and hemogram parameters, blood samples were taken from patients before treatment and on days 7-14 after starting the treatment. Hemogram and coagulation parameters were measured in the venous blood samples.

Results: The levels of factor II significantly decreased, and the platelet count significantly increased in patients treated with erdosteine. D-dimer levels reduced and factor VII levels increased in patients treated with N-acetylcysteine, but these changes were not significant (p=0.069 and p=0.062, respectively). Other coagulation and hemogram values did not change in both groups. Erdosteine may have a dualistic effect on the coagulation cascade through its different metabolites.