- N-acetyl cysteine comes from the amino acid L-cysteine. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. N-acetyl cysteine has many uses as medicine.
Contents
Uses
- To counteract acetaminophen (Tylenol) and carbon monoxide poisoning
- Chest pain (unstable angina)
- Bile duct blockage in infants
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease)
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Allergic reactions to the anti-seizure drug phenytoin (Dilantin)
- An eye infection called keratoconjunctivitis
- Reducing levels of a type of cholesterol called lipoprotein (a)
- Homocysteine levels (a possible risk factor for heart disease)
- Lower risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with serious kidney disease.
- Chronic bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Hay fever
- A lung condition called fibrosing alveolitis
- Head and neck cancer, and lung cancer
- For treating some forms of epilepsy
- Ear infections
- Complications of kidney dialysis
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
- An autoimmune disorder called Sjogren’s syndrome
- Preventing sports injury complications
- Radiation treatment
- Increasing immunity to flu and H1N1 (swine) flu;
- Detoxifying heavy metals such as mercury, lead, and cadmium.
- Preventing alcoholic liver damage
- Protecting against environmental pollutants including carbon monoxide, chloroform, urethanes and certain herbicides
- Reducing toxicity of ifosfamide and doxorubicin, drugs that are used for cancer treatment
- As a hangover remedy
- Preventing kidney damage due to certain X-ray dyes
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- N-acetyl cysteine is sometimes inhaled (breathed into the lungs) or delivered through a tube in the throat to treat certain lung disorders such as pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, and others.
Benefits
- N-acetyl cysteine treats acetaminophen (Tylenol) poisoning by binding the poisonous forms of acetaminophen that are formed in the liver. It is also an antioxidant, so it may play a role in preventing cancer.
Caution
N-acetyl cysteine is LIKELY SAFE for most adults, when used as a prescription medication. It can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea or constipation. Rarely, it can cause rashes, fever, headache, drowsiness, low blood pressure, and liver problems.
When inhaled (breathed into the lungs), it can also cause swelling in the mouth, runny nose, drowsiness, clamminess, and chest tightness.
N-acetyl cysteine has an unpleasant odor that may make it hard to take.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy or breast-feeding: N-acetyl cysteine is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth, delivered through a hole in the windpipe, or breathed in. N-acetyl cysteine crosses the placenta, but there is no evidence so far linking it with harm to the unborn child or mother. However, N-acetyl cysteine should only be used in pregnant women when clearly needed, such as in cases of acetaminophen toxicity.
There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking N-acetyl cysteine if you are breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Allergy: Don’t use N-acetyl cysteine if you are allergic to acetyl cysteine.
Asthma: There is a concern that N-acetyl cysteine might cause bronchospasm in people with asthma if inhaled or taken by mouth or through a tube in the windpipe. If you take N-acetyl cysteine and have asthma, you should be monitored by your healthcare provider.
Bleeding disorder. N-acetyl cysteine might slow blood clotting. There is concern that N-acetyl cysteine might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
Interactions
Nitroglycerin interacts with N-ACETYL CYSTEINE
Nitroglycerin can dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow. Taking N-acetyl cysteine seems to increase the effects of nitroglycerin. This could cause increased chance of side effects including headache, dizziness, and lightheadedness.
Activated charcoal interacts with N-ACETYL CYSTEINE
Activated charcoal is sometimes used to prevent poisoning in people who take too much acetaminophen and other medications. Activated charcoal can bind up these medications in the stomach and prevent them from being absorbed by the body. Taking N-acetyl cysteine at the same time as activated charcoal might decrease how well it works for preventing poisoning.
Other Names
Acetyl Cysteine, Acétyl Cystéine, Acetylcysteine, Acétylcystéine, Chlorhydrate de Cystéine, Cysteine, Cystéine, Cysteine Hydrochloride, Cystine, Hydrochlorure de Cystéine, L-Cysteine, L-Cystéine, L-Cysteine HCl, L-Cystéine HCl, NAC, N-Acetil Cisteína, N-Acetyl-B-Cysteine, N-Acétyl Cystéine, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, N-Acétyl-L-Cystéine, N-Acetylcysteine, N-Acétylcystéine.
References
Source: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1018-n-acetyl%20cysteine.aspx?activeingredientid=1018