Carbocysteine is a mucolytic agent that works by breaking down the structure of mucus, making it thinner and less viscous. Its primary mechanism of action involves reducing the viscosity of mucus in the airways by modifying the glycoprotein structure, which facilitates easier clearance of mucus from the respiratory tract.
Carbocysteine is commonly used to treat respiratory conditions characterized by excessive mucus production, such as chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sinusitis.