Which of the following drugs is incompatible with acetylcysteine?

Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic agent that helps break down mucus in the respiratory system, often used in conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or to treat acetaminophen overdose. When discussing drug compatibility, it is crucial to understand that certain medications can interact negatively when mixed with acetylcysteine, potentially leading to reduced efficacy or adverse effects.

Ampicillin is known to be incompatible with acetylcysteine. This incompatibility can occur due to the chemical interactions between the two drugs. When these two are combined, there is a risk of precipitate formation, which means that the drugs may form an insoluble compound that could block intravenous lines or render the medications ineffective. Therefore, administering ampicillin concurrently or in the same infusion as acetylcysteine can pose practical and clinical challenges.

Knowing this, it's essential for healthcare professionals to be aware of this incompatibility to ensure safe and effective medication administration, especially in respiratory therapy where acetylcysteine might frequently be used.