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Nac6.0
NAC Research
Likely helps
798 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
NAC appears to help in 5 of 6 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1982–2026 with a typical study size of 302 participants.
Based on 795 studies · 133 meta-analyses · 607 RCTs · 23,511 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
5helped1unclear· 789 more without graded effect data
2Incidence of anti-TB drug induced liver injuryMeta-Analysisn=3,423 · very large study2023
In plain English: This meta-analysis examined the effects of NAC.
Akkahadsee P et al. · Scientific reports (2023)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
The NMA indicated that supplementation of Turmeric plus Tinospora cordifolia (RR 0.07; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.28), and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) (RR 0.09; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.75) significantly reduced the incidence of anti-TB DILI compared with placebo.
In addition, poly herbal product significantly reduced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (MD - 21.80; 95% CI - 33.80 to - 9.80) and total bilirubin (Tbil) compared with placebo (MD - 0.51; 95% CI - 0.76 to - 0.26).
There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of AEs in any intervention.
3Depressive symptoms in patients with psychiatric problemsMeta-Analysisn=904 · large study2024
In plain English: Our findings indicate that adjunctive NAC can ameliorate depressive symptoms in patients with psychiatric problems, particularly bipolar disorder.
Peng TR et al. · General hospital psychiatry (2024)
Our findings indicate that adjunctive NAC can ameliorate depressive symptoms in patients with psychiatric problems, particularly bipolar disorder.
However, large-scale clinical trials were needed to substantiate our results due to the wide CI value.
4H. pylori eradicationMeta-Analysisn=1,167 · large study2022
In plain English: Adjuvant NAC plus standard treatment protocols are not superior to standard treatment protocols for H. pylori eradication.
Biswas DP et al. · Clinics and research in hepatology and gastroenterology (2022)
Adjuvant NAC plus standard treatment protocols are not superior to standard treatment protocols for H. pylori eradication.
These findings are consistent with the use of adjuvant NAC with 'currently used standard treatment protocols' (clarithromycin-based triple therapies) and also with adjuvant NAC used in the treatment of naïve patients.
5Recovery biomarkers (CK-MB)Meta-Analysisn=1,388 · large study2022
In plain English: However, subgroup analyses based on NAC dosage indicated the meaningful effect of NAC on CK-MB at the dosage of ≥100 mg/kg.
Nejati M et al. · Journal of food biochemistry (2022)
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Previous studies on the influence of NAC administration on recovery biomarkers have presented conflicting results.
This systematic review and meta-analysis offers a broad range of detailed information on the influence of chronic and acute NAC supplementation outcomes regarding recovery biomarkers.
Overall, the results support that NAC supplementation may not be effective in improving recovery biomarkers.
6Exacerbation frequency in chronic respiratory conditionsMeta-Analysisn=4,155 · very large study2015
In plain English: Patients treated with NAC had significantly and consistently fewer exacerbations of chronic bronchitis or COPD (relative risk 0.75, 95% CI 0.66-0.84; p<0.01).
Cazzola M, Calzetta L, Page C, Jardim J, Chuchalin AG, Rogliani P, Matera MG · European Respiratory Review (2015)