N-ACETYL CYSTEINE (L-Cysteine) - or NAC. Might help CF

Faust

New member
For a little while now i've been staying up late doing tons of research on supplements that can help us. I was referencing a ton of essential and non essential amino acids and came across N-ACETYL CYSTEINE (L-Cysteine), a few sources mentioned that it was very important in thinning mucous. It also directly mentioned cystic fibrosis, and that it was now available in IV form, orally without a perscription, and aerosol form but with a perscription. I personally had never heard of it before, but i'm certainly going to try it, cause anything that might keep my quality of life up without obvious bad side effects, i'm all on it.

Anyways, heres what some of the information sites say:

N-ACETYL CYSTEINE (L-Cysteine)

(taken from a membership only huge medical/natural medicine database I belong to)
www.naturaldatabase.com

N-ACETYL CYSTEINE (L-Cysteine) return to top
EFFECTIVE
Acetaminophen poisoning. Administering N-acetyl cysteine orally or intravenously is equally effective in decreasing mortality rate and preventing the permanent sequelae of acetaminophen poisoning (17).
Atelectasis. N-acetyl cysteine is helpful for atelectasis caused by mucus obstruction (15).
Bronchial diagnostic studies. N-acetyl cysteine is helpful when used for preparing people for bronchial diagnostic studies (15).
Bronchopulmonary disorders. Administering N-acetyl cysteine by inhalation is effective as a mucolytic for adjunctive treatment of acute and chronic bronchopulmonary disorders (15).
Cystic fibrosis. N-acetyl cysteine is effective for cystic fibrosis (15).
Tracheostomy care. N-acetyl cysteine is effective when used as an adjunct for preventing endotracheal crusting in tracheostomy care (15).
POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE
Angina. Administering N-acetyl cysteine orally or intravenously seems to improve unstable angina pectoris in combination with nitroglycerin (2245,2246). Concurrent intravenous administration of N-acetyl cysteine also seems to reduce development of nitroglycerin tolerance (832,2245). However, severe headache can occur when N-acetyl cysteine and nitroglycerin are administered together and may limit feasibility of concomitant use (2245).
Bronchitis. Taking N-acetyl cysteine orally seems to reduce the risk of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis when used over a three to six month period (6176).
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In patients with moderate to severe COPD, taking N-acetyl cysteine orally can decrease the number of acute exacerbations by about 40% when used in addition to standard therapy (10429).
Contrast agent-induced nephropathy. Taking N-acetyl cysteine orally seems to prevent nonionic low-osmolality contrast agent-induced nephropathy in patients with renal insufficiency. Oral N-acetyl cysteine, with hydration with intravenous saline, seems to prevent acute renal damage in patients with chronic renal insufficiency (serum creatinine greater than 2.4 mg/dL) receiving iopromide (Ultravist-300) administration for elective computed tomography (CT) or coronary angiography (6611,10428). However, in patients with reduced renal function (serum creatinine greater than 1.2 ml/dL, but less than 2.4 ml/dL), oral N-acetyl cysteine doesn't seem to reduce the risk of contrast agent-induced renal damage after coronary angiography (11430).
End-stage renal disease (ESRD). Taking N-acetyl cysteine orally seems to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events such as ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction by about 40% in patients with ESRD. However, the risk of total mortality or mortality from cardiovascular causes is not decreased (10430).
Epilepsy. Taking N-acetyl cysteine orally seems to be helpful for treating myoclonus epilepsy (2259).
Fibrosing alveolitis. Taking N-acetyl cysteine orally seems to improve pulmonary function tests and decrease biochemical markers of disease in patients with fibrosing alveolitis (7868).
Hyperhomocysteinemia. Taking N-acetyl cysteine orally seems to reduce homocysteine levels (2256,2258).
Ifosfamide (Ifex) toxicity. Taking N-acetyl cysteine orally seems to reduce ifosfamide-induced bladder toxicity (5808,10270). However, mesna (Mesnex) seems to be more effective for preventing ifosfamide toxicity than N-acetyl cysteine (10748).
Influenza. Taking N-acetyl cysteine orally seems to reduce symptoms of influenza (2260).
POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease). Administering N-acetyl cysteine intravenously doesn't seem to improve symptoms of ALS (2254).
Doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity. Taking N-acetyl cysteine orally doesn't seem to prevent or reverse doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity (2252,2253).
LIKELY INEFFECTIVE
Alzheimer's disease. Taking N-acetyl cysteine orally doesn't improve symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (7870).
Head and neck cancer or lung cancer. Taking N-acetyl cysteine orally in patients with head and neck cancer or lung cancer doesn't prevent second primary tumors (1710). N-acetyl cysteine alone, or in combination with retinyl palmitate, has no effect on mortality or event-free survival in patients with head and neck cancer or lung cancer (1705,1710).
Multisystem organ failure. Administering N-acetyl cysteine intravenously, greater than 24 hours after hospital admission, might increase mortality rate due to multisystem organ failure. The effect of N-acetyl cysteine given within 24 hours of hospital admission requires further study (7871).
Nitrate tolerance. Taking N-acetyl cysteine orally doesn't reduce nitroglycerin tolerance (2281,2282).
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
Colorectal cancer. Oral N-acetyl cysteine may reduce the likelihood of colorectal cancer in patients with a history of adenomatous colon polyps (7873).
Hepatorenal syndrome. There is some preliminary clinical evidence that intravenous N-acetyl cysteine might improve renal function in hepatorenal syndrome (1752).
Lamellar ichthyosis. There is some evidence that topical N-acetyl cysteine might be useful for lamellar ichthyosis, a congenital skin disease (3974,3975).
Myocardial infarction (MI). Early evidence shows that intravenous N-acetyl cysteine, when given with nitroglycerin and streptokinase, in patients with evolving MI, may preserve left ventricular function and reduce oxidative stress (7872).
More evidence is needed to rate N-acetyl cysteine for these uses.

I then went to google and just looked it up with "supplement" added. Clicked on one of the first results, has some good concise information:
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,809,00.html

What Is It?

Produced by the body, N-acetylcysteine (commonly called NAC) is a form of the amino acid cysteine. Because it enhances the production of the enzyme glutathione, one of the body's powerhouse antioxidants, NAC can both stave off disease and play an important role in boosting the immune system. Studies have shown that glutathione levels are often reduced in people with certain conditions related to the immune system.

For more than three decades, NAC has been used as a mucolytic ("mucus dissolving") agent to help break up the thick mucus often present in people suffering from chronic respiratory ailments. When administered intravenously, NAC has also proved invaluable in the treatment of acetaminophen overdose; it appears to protect the liver from this potentially toxic substance. Now widely available in supplement form, NAC is currently being recommended for preventing and treating a wide variety of ailments that may respond to its antioxidant properties.

Health Benefits

Supplemental antioxidants--NAC is one of many-- are believed to protect the body's cells from altered oxygen molecules called free radicals. Damage from free radicals is thought to be a signficant factor in such degenerative conditions as cancer and heart disease. Of course, factors other than oxidative damage, such as life style factors and genetic susceptibility, play strong roles in disease development as well. The hope is that by reducing susceptibility to free radical damage, a person may further lower susceptibility to a variety of chronic medical conditions. Incidentally, it is by means of its antioxidant actions that NAC helps the liver eliminate potentially dangerous environmental and biological toxins from the body.

Specifically, NAC may help to:

# Reduce congestion related to sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, and other respiratory diseases. Conventional physicians routinely use NAC to dilute thick mucus, making it much easier to cough up or drain from the nasal passages and other congested areas. It's often used to ease congestion in people with pneumonia and other chronic respiratory diseases. It has even been shown to reduce mucus secretions in people who smoke or who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke.

# Treat HIV-infected individuals. Some studies have shown that NAC interferes with the replication of certain viruses, including the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) responsible for causing AIDS. Just what this means for HIV-infected individuals remains unclear, however. One study did show that HIV-positive patients taking NAC supplements were twice as likely to survive for two years than those not taking NAC. Because NAC can boost glutathione production, it supports the proper functioning of immune-system components such as T cells, B cells, and phagocytes, all of which are important for maintaining the body's defenses and potentially protecting against AIDs-related illnesses such as pneumonia.

# Lessen flu symptoms. By thinning mucus and weakening the flu virus, supplemental NAC could potentially lessen the severity and duration of the flu.

# Prevent heart disease. In some studies, NAC appears to significantly lower levels of homocysteineand possibly lipoprotein(a), substances associated with an increased risk of heart disease. As an antioxidant, it also helps prevent the damaging oxidation--and thereby the precipitation--of LDL ("bad") cholesterol from the material that lines blood vessels. More research in this area is needed, however.

# Delay age-related cataracts and macular degeneration. Both of these conditions have been associated with damage from oxygen free radicals. By boosting antioxidant activity in the eye's lens and macula, NAC may have a role to play in preventing cataracts (which cause the lens to become cloudy) and macular degeneration (which can result in blindness as this area of the retina deteriorates).

# Counter environmental toxins. NAC-supported glutathione interacts with the dangerous byproducts of many toxic substances, promoting their excretion through the liver. These substances include carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and carbon monoxide; alcohol; such heavy metals as mercury, chromium, and boron; and the microorganisms aflatoxin and Eschicheria coli.

# Lessen the risk of cancer. By helping to rid the body of environmental toxins and by fighting free radicals, NAC, at least theoretically, may have a role to play in preventing cancer. NAC might also slow the growth of cancerous tissues in these ways. Clinical trials are underway to explore this possibility. Interestingly, one study did find that NAC reduced nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

# Slow the progression of multiple sclerosis. One theory regarding the cause of this degenerative condition attributes it to free-radical damage caused by low levels of glutathione. If this is true, NAC's antioxidant actions may be of help in protecting nerve cells from such damage. More research on NAC's effect on this disease is clearly needed.

# Affect the course of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is often marked by reduced quantities of glutathione in the brain. In theory, boosting glutathione with NAC supplements could slow loss of function in Parkinson's sufferers. NAC's antioxidant actions might also help by minimizing age-related deterioration of the nervous system.

Note: Antioxidants in general and NAC in particular have been considered useful for a number of other disorders. For information on these additional ailments, see our Dosage Recommendations Chart for NAC.

Forms

* tablet

Dosage Information

Special tips:

--Regular supplementation with NAC will increase the urinary excretion of copper, a mineral. So if you're using NAC for an extended period of time, it's probably wise to add both copper (2 mg a day) and zinc (30 mg a day) to your treatment regimen.

--If you use NAC for more than a month, add a mixed amino acid complex to your treatment regimen to ensure that you are getting adequate, balanced amounts of all the amino acids.

--NAC is also available as an intravenous solution and inhalant, but by prescription only. Follow doctor recommendations regarding dosage and administration of these forms.

# For the majority of ailments mentioned: Take 500 mg three times a day.

# For bronchitis: For acute bronchitis, take 500 mg three times a day between meals. For chronic bronchitis, take 250 mg three times a day between meals.

# For sinusitis: Take 500 mg twice a day between meals.

# For multiple sclerosis: Take 500 mg three times a day every other day between meals; alternate with 30 mg zinc and 2 mg copper.

Be sure to check out our Dosage Recommendations Chart for NAC, which lists therapeutic dosages for specific ailments at a glance.

Guidelines for Use

# NAC is most effective when taken on an empty stomach.

# If you've added a mixed amino acid complex to your NAC regimen, be sure to take it on an empty stomach as well, but at a different time of day than you take the NAC.

General Interaction

# There are no known drug or nutrient interactions associated with NAC.

For information on interactions with specific generic drugs, see our WholeHealthMD Drug/Nutrient Interactions Chart.

Possible Side Effects

# NAC has no side effects as long as it is taken in the recommended dosage.

# High doses of oral NAC may cause gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting, or in rare cases a rash possibly accompanied by fever.

Cautions

# Scientists must still determine how much NAC and glutathione can be safely absorbed and processed by the body.

# Evidence indicates that in some healthy individuals, high doses of NAC (2,800 mg a day) can act as a pro-oxidant rather than an antioxidant, actually lowering levels of glutathione rather than increasing them. For this reason, otherwise healthy individuals may want to avoid taking high doses of NAC until more information is available.

# Because there are no adequate studies of NAC in pregnant women, it's not recommended for women who are or may be pregnant.
Ailments

Dosage
Alcoholism
600-1,000 mg twice a day
Asthma
500 mg 3 times a day
Bronchitis
Acute: 600-750 mg 3 times a day until recovered.
Chronic: 600 mg twice a day
Cancer
600 mg 3 times a day
Cancer Prevention
600-1,000 mg once a day
Cataracts
500 mg 3 times a day
Flu
500 mg 3 times a day.
Heart Disease Prevention
500 mg 3 times a day
Macular Degeneration
500 mg 3 times a day
Multiple Sclerosis
600 mg 3 times a day
Psoriasis
600 mg twice a day
Sinusitis
600 mg 3 times a day between meals


Anyways, for all I know you guys are taking this now, but I was looking up a good amino acid supplement (many benefits), and stumbled across this. So do any of you guys take this supplement via aerosol or orally? Ever heard of it? Just curious.
 

Faust

New member
Another link, from the PDR:

http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/ace_0178.shtml
 

Faust

New member
To make it shorter (a great reference supported by MANY doctors on supplemental substances for comanagement of CF):


http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/fulltext/cystic.html


N-acetylcysteine

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a cysteine amino acid derivative which is capable of cleaving the disulfide bonds found in mucus, and can be aerosolized or taken orally.54 In one cross-over study, 52 CF patients positive for P. aeruginosa were administered 200mg of NAC orally three times per day for patients <30Kg and 400mg of NAC twice daily for those >30Kg. Thirty-one patients completed the three-month study, and patients with peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) of < 70% showed significant improvements in PEFR and forced vital capacity over their predicted values.55

NAC has valuable hepatotoxicity protection as a precursor in glutathione synthesis.56 Stagnaro et al suggest that NAC provides lymphocytic protection against toxic oxygen species. Utilizing ten patients with chronic lung disease and ten gender/age-matched controls, 600 mg of oral NAC was given daily for ten days. A parallel in vitro control and study trial exposed lymphocytes to TOS prior to being instilled with NAC. Results showed a decrease in lymphocyte activity by 50% and 65% in the control and study groups, respectively. This demise was reversed by the addition of NAC to the culture medium. The author's summation is that NAC may be able to protect lymphocytes from the destructive forces of TOS, both in vivo and in vitro.57 A suggested daily NAC dosage for the adult with CF is 500 mg two to three times per day. This therapeutic effort could decrease hepatotoxin formation and mucous viscosity in CF.


The most obvious good part of that abstract is the final line: "This therapeutic effort could decrease hepatotoxin formation and mucous viscosity in CF." - Basically protect our livers from natural degradation through CF, and thin our bodies mucous.



BTW, EVERYONE, and much more so, CF patients should already be taking a good quality multi essential and non essential amino acid supplement due to many CF's malabsorbtion of nutrients in their foods to aid their natural amino acids, and no telling what else they might be lacking due to their overall crappy health and them being bombarded with all kinds of medications.
 

ihatecf

New member
I ve been on that before. I dunno if it helped me or not, but its no where as effective as pulmozyme as my doc said.
 

anonymous

New member
Another name for the drug is Mucomyst. My daughter has been inhaling it (along with cromolyn sodium and albuterol) for the past six months. I took her to the Minneapolis clinic and they recommend it there over Pulmozyme. But my daughter still takes the pulmozyme since I think it has been helping her. I think she does well on Mucomyst. She had a nighttime cough that went away the night I started giving her Mucomyst. She coughed at night both nights I have not given her Mucomyst. So it does help her.
Sharon, mom of Sophia, 4 and Jack, 2 both with cf
 

Faust

New member
Ah the good ol mucomyst...I remember that ultra nasty crap. It smelled worse than satans booty!

I just wasn't aware if this was in any straight up CF drugs yet or not.
 

JennifersHope

New member
Hi Sean.. I just wanted to point out to you because it doesn't seem like you are aware that the Mucyomist and the N-acetyl cysteine are the same drug. Mucyomist is the brand name of what you posted on.. It has been around for a awhile... It depends on the CF clinic that you go to what they recommend... I started out on Mucyomist and was switched over to Pulmozyme...

Just wanted to let you know.... Thanks for the information,

Jennifer
 

JazzysMom

New member
For years my group used Mucomyst. Because of my hemoptysis history I didnt use it long before they stopped using it. Now they recommend Pulmozyme.
 

Faust

New member
BTW if you guys read the info on what I posted regarding this amino acid, it supposedly helps all other kinds of stuff...Pretty neat.
 

JennifersHope

New member
Just wanted to make you laugh.. Did you know the pulmozyme that we inhale is partially made from Chinese hamsters ovaries DNA? I remember when I first found out what was in it.. I called my dr and asked him if he really wanted me to "smoke" this stuff... Now sometimes I tell ppl that to make a joke...

Also, in school we are learning about cancer and all the different treatments chemo, radation, etc.. There is a new drug class that is in Phase 2 of trials that is made from mouse urine..... Can you imagine? It is amazing the things that ppl come up with.. It actually has taken them 20 years of research to find it but it actually cuts off the vasscular supply to tumors and kills the tumor without any harmful side effects that you get with chemo....

Amazing...

Jennifer
 

anonymous

New member
<b>N-Acetyl-Cysteine Products On Discount Prices At StarHerb.com</b>

<b>N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)</b> is a modified form of the amino acid cysteine. NAC helps break down mucus and protects from acetaminophen toxicity. In addition, it helps the body to synthesize the antioxidant glutathione. NAC helps to reduce plasma cell adhesion in diabetes patients.

For More Details Visit : <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://http://www.starherb.com/supplement.asp?catid=603">N-Acetyl-Cysteine</a>
 

Faust

New member
Thanks. I'm sure that wasn't covered <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 

anonymous

New member
We use inhaled GSH (reduced glutathione) that is buffered with sodium bicarbonate. GSH is mucolytic, anti-inflammatory, has been shown to improve lung function, and improves immune response in the lung. There have been some studies completed in the US and Europe.

NAC (mucomyst) increases intracellular glutathione. However, the intracellular glutathione cannot move out of the cell due to the malfunctioning CFTR.
 

anonymous

New member
I have been taking NAC for about 6 months, in that time I have noticed that my secretions have become marginally thinner. I take one 600mg pill at night. I also just started to take oregano oil, I will let you know how that's going in about a week.

Dan
 

clairebells

New member
My four year old, Chrissy, had an intestinal blockage in April. Among other things, we had to take her to the Medical Day Unit at the Children's Hospital five days in a row for Mucomyst enemas (not pleasant!); plus she had to take it orally for a few weeks. That stuff is awful smelling, and it was a huge ordeal to find a way to get it into her....supposedly Coke disguises the flavor best, but she had never had Coke and that just freaked her out more. Finally I found mixing it into Jello chocolate pudding (chilled, and with extra chocolate syrup) was the only way to get her to take it. She still takes it twice a week as a preventative measure (thins the mucus in the GI tracts which contributes to blockages).

Jenny (mom of Chrissy 4 w/CF)
 
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