Evidence supporting the use of: N-acetylcysteine
For the health condition: Emphysema

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been investigated for use in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), which includes emphysema. NAC acts as a mucolytic agent, reducing mucus viscosity and facilitating its clearance. It also serves as a precursor to glutathione, an important antioxidant, and may help reduce oxidative stress in the lungs—a relevant factor in emphysema pathology.

Multiple clinical trials and several meta-analyses have explored NAC’s efficacy in COPD patients. Results indicate that NAC, particularly at higher doses (≥1200 mg/day), may modestly reduce the frequency of COPD exacerbations and improve some symptoms, such as cough and sputum production. However, the benefits are more consistently observed in chronic bronchitis phenotypes than in emphysema-dominant COPD. The evidence for direct improvement in emphysema (characterized by alveolar destruction and airspace enlargement) is limited and less robust.

Guidelines such as GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) acknowledge that NAC may play a supportive role in reducing exacerbations in some COPD patients, but it is not a primary therapy for emphysema itself. The overall quality of evidence is moderate to low, with some heterogeneity among studies. Thus, while there is some scientific validation for NAC’s use in COPD, its specific benefit in emphysema is less clearly established, justifying a rating of 2 out of 5.

More about N-acetylcysteine
More about Emphysema

Products containing N-acetylcysteine

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.