MEDICAL APPLICATIONS OF N-ACETYLCYSTEINE (NAC): MECHANISMS OF ACTION AND CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS

  • Unique Paper ID: 205648
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue: 1
  • PageNo: 7586-7588
  • Abstract:
  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine with well-established antioxidant, mucolytic, and cytoprotective properties. Initially introduced as a mucolytic agent, NAC later became the standard antidote for acetaminophen (paracetamol) poisoning because of its ability to replenish intracellular glutathione stores [1,2]. Over recent decades, its therapeutic applications have expanded into pulmonology, hepatology, nephrology, psychiatry, reproductive medicine, and oncology [3,4]. NAC exerts its effects through multiple mechanisms, including glutathione restoration, direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species, modulation of inflammatory pathways, and regulation of cellular signaling [3,5]. While strong clinical evidence supports its use in acetaminophen overdose and selected respiratory diseases, evidence for many emerging indications remains limited or inconsistent [6]. This review examines the pharmacology, mechanisms of action, clinical applications, safety profile, and therapeutic effectiveness of NAC across a broad range of medical conditions.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{205648,
        author = {Sk. Shakeela and E. Sai Chandu and Y.V.L. Keerthy and R. Keerthi},
        title = {MEDICAL APPLICATIONS OF N-ACETYLCYSTEINE (NAC): MECHANISMS OF ACTION AND CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {1},
        pages = {7586-7588},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=205648},
        abstract = {N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a synthetic derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine with well-established antioxidant, mucolytic, and cytoprotective properties. Initially introduced as a mucolytic agent, NAC later became the standard antidote for acetaminophen (paracetamol) poisoning because of its ability to replenish intracellular glutathione stores [1,2]. Over recent decades, its therapeutic applications have expanded into pulmonology, hepatology, nephrology, psychiatry, reproductive medicine, and oncology [3,4]. NAC exerts its effects through multiple mechanisms, including glutathione restoration, direct scavenging of reactive oxygen species, modulation of inflammatory pathways, and regulation of cellular signaling [3,5]. While strong clinical evidence supports its use in acetaminophen overdose and selected respiratory diseases, evidence for many emerging indications remains limited or inconsistent [6]. This review examines the pharmacology, mechanisms of action, clinical applications, safety profile, and therapeutic effectiveness of NAC across a broad range of medical conditions.},
        keywords = {N-acetylcysteine, NAC, glutathione, antioxidant, acetaminophen toxicity, oxidative stress.},
        month = {June},
        }

Cite This Article

Shakeela, S., & Chandu, E. S., & Keerthy, Y., & Keerthi, R. (2026). MEDICAL APPLICATIONS OF N-ACETYLCYSTEINE (NAC): MECHANISMS OF ACTION AND CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT), 13(1), 7586–7588.

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