Abstract
N-acetylcysteine (NAC), the N-acetyl derivative of the amino acid cysteine, is perhaps best known for its wide use in the treatment of acetaminophen (paracetamol) toxicity, but it has been investigated for the treatment of myriad conditions. In this article we will review the uses of NAC in pulmonary diseases, the mechanism of action dosing, side effect profile and clinical implications in regard to COPD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. One of the main targets of NAC is Inflammation and oxidative stress that are important factors in the pathogenesis of many chronic inflammatory lung disorders. While it is logical to conclude that the administration of antioxidants such as NAC will provide a mode of treatment for said conditions by targeting antioxidant-oxidant imbalance [8] and although the theory supporting the use of antioxidants is sound, it may not necessarily translate into clinical benefit. Based on the available evidence it is unlikely that mucolytics such as NAC will drastically affect symptoms, exacerbations or disease modification in COPD.
Keywords: Interstitial lung diseases, N-Acetylcysteine, pulmonary diseases, side effects.
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews
Title:The Use of N-Acetylcysteine in Respiratory Diseases
Volume: 9 Issue: 5
Author(s): Shoshannah Levitt, Daniel Grupel, Maor Waldman, Tamir Tobias and Theodore K. Marras
Affiliation:
Keywords: Interstitial lung diseases, N-Acetylcysteine, pulmonary diseases, side effects.
Abstract: N-acetylcysteine (NAC), the N-acetyl derivative of the amino acid cysteine, is perhaps best known for its wide use in the treatment of acetaminophen (paracetamol) toxicity, but it has been investigated for the treatment of myriad conditions. In this article we will review the uses of NAC in pulmonary diseases, the mechanism of action dosing, side effect profile and clinical implications in regard to COPD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. One of the main targets of NAC is Inflammation and oxidative stress that are important factors in the pathogenesis of many chronic inflammatory lung disorders. While it is logical to conclude that the administration of antioxidants such as NAC will provide a mode of treatment for said conditions by targeting antioxidant-oxidant imbalance [8] and although the theory supporting the use of antioxidants is sound, it may not necessarily translate into clinical benefit. Based on the available evidence it is unlikely that mucolytics such as NAC will drastically affect symptoms, exacerbations or disease modification in COPD.
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Levitt Shoshannah, Grupel Daniel, Waldman Maor, Tobias Tamir and Marras K. Theodore, The Use of N-Acetylcysteine in Respiratory Diseases, Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews 2013; 9 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573398X10666140204230324
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573398X10666140204230324 |
Print ISSN 1573-398X |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6387 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from childhood to adulthood: from the past to the future
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the three leading causes of death worldwide, with a major prevalence in low- and middle-income countries, resulting in a high social and economic cost. It is a heterogeneous respiratory disease, treatable and preventable, that causes persistent and often progressive airway obstruction in ...read more
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