What it is
MucoClear is hypertonic saline: sterile salt water at a higher concentration than the fluid in your body. PARI explains that it works by osmosis, drawing water out of the lung tissue into the mucus layer, which thins the mucus so your airways can clear it more easily.
It contains only sodium chloride and water, with no preservatives and no drug. It comes in single-use 4 mL ampoules in two strengths.
3% is listed by PARI for conditions such as bronchitis, acute viral bronchiolitis and cystic fibrosis. 6% is listed for cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis and primary ciliary dyskinesia. Your doctor or physiotherapist will tell you which strength suits you.
Who it's for
- People with thick, hard-to-clear mucus, including bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia.
- Suitable for all age groups, but babies, children and anyone needing assistance must be supervised by a responsible adult.
- Usually used alongside an airway clearance routine, which we’ll set up with you.
How to use it
You’ll need a nebuliser (jet, mesh or ultrasonic). Use MucoClear at room temperature, never warmed.
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Check the ampoule. Don’t use one that’s damaged or already open, or if the liquid looks cloudy or discoloured.
- Open the ampoule by twisting off the top, and only do this immediately before you use it.
- Empty the ampoule into your nebuliser cup following your nebuliser’s own instructions.
- Sit upright and breathe the mist in steadily through the mouthpiece until the nebuliser runs dry.
- Do your airway clearance as your physiotherapist has shown you, so the loosened mucus gets moved out.
- Throw away any solution left in the ampoule. It has no preservative, so an opened ampoule is no longer sterile.
Cleaning & care
After each use
- There’s nothing to clean on the solution itself: it’s the nebuliser that needs cleaning.
- Clean and dry your nebuliser after every treatment, following its own instructions.
- Discard the used ampoule straight away.
Weekly deep clean
- Disinfect your nebuliser as often as its manufacturer recommends. If you use the AeroEclipse, see our AeroEclipse guide.
- Store MucoClear at room temperature, out of reach of children.
- Check the expiry date on the box and throw out any out-of-date ampoules.
When to replace it
Ampoules are single use: open one, use it, discard it. Don’t keep a part-used ampoule for later, even in the fridge, because it’s no longer sterile.
Things to be careful about
- Breathing in salt solutions can make you cough more. If you have sensitive airways it can cause temporary tightening of the airways and breathlessness. PARI’s advice is to stop the treatment and contact your doctor if that happens.
- Because of that, some people are advised to take their reliever inhaler beforehand, and to start on the lower strength. That’s a clinical decision: ask your doctor or physiotherapist rather than deciding yourself.
- If you cough up a large amount of blood, stop straight away and contact your doctor.
- Ask your doctor before mixing MucoClear with any other medication in the same nebuliser.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as there’s no data for this product.
- Stop and tell your doctor if you notice an unusual smell during a treatment.
Sources: PARI MucoClear 3% instructions for use (PDF) · PARI MucoClear 6% instructions for use (PDF) · PARI MucoClear 6%. Instructions are summarised from the manufacturer and may change; always keep the leaflet that comes with your device.