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Mucolytics and expectorants (Carbocisteine, Acetylcysteine, Bromhexine, Guaifenesin)
SACAA Part 67 assessment
Acceptable with conditions / grounding period
Alcohol plus a sedating medicine — additive effect
Alcohol multiplies the sedation and reaction-time impairment of this medicine. The two clocks run separately: the 8-hour alcohol restriction (and the 0.02 g/100 ml limit) and the medicine's own washout period — you are only clear once the later of the two has passed and you are completely side-effect free.
Contains alcohol or may contain alcohol
No aviation duty within 8 hours of any alcohol — and never above 0.02 g/100 ml blood alcohol concentration.
Many liquid medicines (cough mixtures, elixirs, tinctures, tonics, some drops and mouthwashes) contain ethanol as a solvent, and the label may only say 'ethanol', 'alcohol' or 'spiritus'. No aviation duty within 8 hours of consuming any alcohol, and never with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 g/100 ml or higher (CAR 91.02.3 / Part 67). Alcohol also multiplies the sedating effect of antihistamines, benzodiazepines, opioids and Z-drugs. Choose an alcohol-free preparation whenever one exists, and check the label of every liquid medicine before duty.
Active ingredient(s)
Mucolytics and expectorants (Carbocisteine, Acetylcysteine, Bromhexine, Guaifenesin)
Mucolytic / expectorant
Typical grounding period: 8 hours
Driven by Alcohol / ethanol-containing preparations.
Measured from the last dose, and only once completely side-effect free.
Guidance notes
Preparations containing only carbocisteine, guaifenesin or acetylcysteine without an alcohol base are acceptable. Check the label carefully — many cough syrups add alcohol, codeine, dextromethorphan, promethazine or pseudoephedrine, all of which are unacceptable.
Known SA brand names
Our DAME partners
Dr Berlize du Plessis
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Kenridge, Cape Town
Dr Brandon Head
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Sunninghill, Sandton
Dr Ernest Schutz
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Germiston
Dr Mariska van Tonder
Senior DAME · MS222
Somerset West
Dr Richard Albrecht
Senior DAME · MS074
Strubensvalley, Roodepoort
Dr. Schalk Reyneke
Senior DAME · MS123
Honeydew, Roodepoort
Possible acceptable alternatives (same therapeutic group)
Alternatives are informational only. The underlying medical condition must also be assessed by a DAME — a condition can ground you even when the medicine is acceptable.