Lack of clinical evidence for claim that N-acetylcysteine is effective against COVID-19 and stops viral replication
N-acetylcysteine is the precursor to glutathione, an antioxidant that is naturally produced in the body and is involved in detoxification within the liver. It’s approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose and excessive mucus production. NAC is of great interest to researchers exploring potential treatments for various medical conditions. But claims portraying NAC as a panacea should be met with skepticism given limited clinical evidence.