NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)

Scientific Name:  ®-2-acetamido-3-mercaptopropanoic acid (C5H9NO3S).

Also Known As:  rINN, IPA, acetylcysteine.

NAC is a pharmacological agent used for various purposes, including the management of acetaminophen overdose.

A painkiller used as the active ingredient in Tylenol, and as a mucolytic (an agent that dissolves thick mucus). 

It is sold under several different names depending upon the pharmaceutical manufacturer, including Mucomyst (Bristol-Myers Squibb) and Acetadote (Cumberland).

Forms of NAC: An inhaled form of NAC is used for mucolytic therapy and as a nephroprotective agent (protection of the kidneys). 

Oral solutions may also be used in mucolytic therapy. 

Injection by IV is used as a remedy to acetaminophen overdose. 

Only oral solutions are available without prescriptions.

Sources of NAC: N-Acetyl Cysteine is derived from the amino acid L-cysteine and is also a precursor to the formation of glutathione, an antioxidant in the human body.

Home Remedies using nac:

Benefits and Uses of NAC:

NAC is regularly prescribed as a solution for diseases and conditions resulting in the excessive or thick mucus production. 

These include acute conditions such as bronchitis and pneumonia, as well as long term diseases, such as emphysema, tuberculosis, and amyloidosis. 

It is also used in tracheostomy care.

Recent studies show that N-Acetyl Cysteine can be useful in the modulation of inflammation related to cystic fibrosis and may be able to counter the intertwined redox and inflammatory imbalances of the disease. 

In mucolytic therapy, NAC reduces the viscosity of mucus (thickness), allowing patients to breathe easier. 

N-Acetyl Cysteine may also reduce cravings associated with chronic cocaine use, decrease mortality in cases of influenza, and increase immunological function in aids patients.

Side Effects of NAC:

Large quantities of ingested NAC are poorly tolerated and can cause nausea and vomiting; for this reason, the extreme dosage required for treatment of acetaminophen overdose is administered intravenously.

Additional Information for NAC:

In combination with vitamin C, it has been suggested that NAC could possibly diminish or rid symptoms associated with a hangover, though no clinical studies verify this property.