NAC
Amino Acid ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
The most effective oral precursor to glutathione, the body's master antioxidant. Powerful liver protectant, mucolytic, and mental health support compound.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
NAC is an amino acid most often used for glutathione production, liver protection, detoxification. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong. A typical adult dose is 600–1,800 mg daily, commonly taken as nac (standard form; take on empty stomach). This profile indexes 21 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: glutathione production, liver protection, detoxification. 21 sources indexed (2013–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Deacetylated to L-cysteine, the rate-limiting amino acid for glutathione (GSH) synthesis. GSH neutralizes reactive oxygen species, detoxifies xenobiotics via glutathione S-transferases, and modulates immune function. Also modulates glutamate via the cystine-glutamate antiporter (relevant to OCD, addiction).21
Dosing & protocol.
Take on empty stomach for best absorption; pair with vitamin C to prevent oxidation15
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Standard NAC.
Assumes about 600-1,200 mg/day. Sustained-release versions and niche packaging account for most premium pricing. Updated 2026-04-02.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
NAC is an acetylated supplement form, not a normal food nutrient.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- GI upset
- Nausea
- Rare: may thin mucus excessively
Contraindications
- Asthma (may worsen in some)
- Blood thinners
- Nitroglycerin
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
14- 1Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of L-carnitine and N-acetylcysteine monotherapy for male idiopathic infertilityPMIDMa X, Yang Y, Liu S et al. · Revista internacional de andrologia · 2025
Ma X, Yang Y, Liu S et al.. Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of L-carnitine and N-acetylcysteine monotherapy for male idiopathic infertility. Revista internacional de andrologia. 2025
- 2Comparison of two-bag and three-bag acetylcysteine regimens in the treatment of paracetamol poisoning: a systematic review and meta-analysisPMIDNakatsu L, Lopez JR, Garcia CM et al. · Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) · 2025
Nakatsu L, Lopez JR, Garcia CM et al.. Comparison of two-bag and three-bag acetylcysteine regimens in the treatment of paracetamol poisoning: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.). 2025
- 3N-acetylcysteine Treatment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Chronic Bronchitis/Pre-COPD: Distinct Meta-analysesPMIDCalzetta L et al. · Pulm Pharmacol Ther · 2024
NAC-treated patients showed significant reduction of exacerbation incidence compared to placebo in both COPD and chronic bronchitis.
- 4N-acetylcysteine as a treatment for substance use cravings: A meta-analysisPMIDWinterlind EL, Malone SG, Setzer MR et al. · Addiction Biology · 2024
N-acetylcysteine significantly reduced cravings across multiple substance use disorders, with the most consistent effects observed for cocaine and nicotine dependence.
- 5Efficacy of N-Acetylcysteine as an Adjuvant Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsPMIDHe T, Ren K, Xiang L et al. · British journal of hospital medicine (London, England : 2005) · 2024
He T, Ren K, Xiang L et al.. Efficacy of N-Acetylcysteine as an Adjuvant Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. British journal of hospital medicine (London, England : 2005). 2024
- 6Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of N-acetylcysteine on outcomes after liver resectionPMIDKoh A, Wong T, Adiamah A et al. · ANZ journal of surgery · 2024
Koh A, Wong T, Adiamah A et al.. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of N-acetylcysteine on outcomes after liver resection. ANZ journal of surgery. 2024
- 7The impact of N-acetylcysteine on lactate, biomarkers of oxidative stress, immune response, and muscle damage: A systematic review and meta-analysisPMIDSadowski M, Zawieja E, Chmurzynska A · Journal of cellular and molecular medicine · 2024
Sadowski M, Zawieja E, Chmurzynska A. The impact of N-acetylcysteine on lactate, biomarkers of oxidative stress, immune response, and muscle damage: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of cellular and molecular medicine. 2024
- 8N-acetylcysteine in non-acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studiesPMIDAmjad W, Thuluvath P, Mansoor M et al. · Przeglad Gastroenterologiczny · 2022
N-acetylcysteine improved transplant-free survival in patients with non-acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure, supporting its use beyond acetaminophen overdose.
- 9N-acetylcysteine for major mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPMIDDeepmala et al. · J Clin Psychiatry · 2018
Meta-analysis of RCTs showing NAC has potential benefits for multiple psychiatric disorders via glutamate modulation and antioxidant mechanisms.
- 10N-acetylcysteine in depressive symptoms and functionality: a systematic review and meta-analysisFernandes BS, Dean OM, Dodd S et al. · J Clin Psychiatry · 2016
- 11Efficacy and safety of acetylcysteine in 'non-acetaminophen' acute liver failure: A meta-analysis of prospective clinical trialsPMIDHu J et al. · Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol · 2015
NAC improved transplant-free survival in non-acetaminophen acute liver failure and was safe and well tolerated.
- 12N-acetylcysteine for nonacetaminophen-induced acute liver failure: a systematic review and meta-analysisHu J, Zhang Q, Ren X et al. · Crit Care · 2015
- 13N-acetylcysteine for polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysisThakker D, Raval A, Patel I et al. · Obstet Gynecol Surv · 2015
- 14Oral N-acetylcysteine in prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy: a meta-analysisSun Z, Fu Q, Cao L et al. · Am Heart J · 2013
Randomized controlled trials
1- 15N-acetylcysteine supplementation improves functional capacity and reduces exercise-induced oxidative stressSlattery KM, Dascombe B, Wallace LK et al. · J Int Soc Sports Nutr · 2014
Reviews & position papers
4- 16N-Acetylcysteine: A Review of Clinical Usefulness (an Old Drug with New Tricks)PMIDTenório MCDS et al. · J Amino Acids · 2021
Comprehensive review of NAC's clinical applications including antioxidant therapy, mucolytic activity, and hepatoprotection.
- 17The Multifaceted Therapeutic Role of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) in Disorders Characterized by Oxidative StressPMIDTenório MCDS et al. · Curr Neuropharmacol · 2021
NAC replenishes glutathione in deficient cells and modulates glutamatergic, neurotrophin, and inflammatory pathways across multiple disease states.
- 18N-acetylcysteine in psychiatry: current therapeutic evidence and potential mechanisms of actionDeepmala, Slattery J, Kumar N et al. · J Clin Psychiatry · 2015
- 19Existing and potential therapeutic uses for N-acetylcysteine: the need for conversion to intracellular glutathione for antioxidant benefitsPMIDRushworth GF et al. · Pharmacol Ther · 2014
NAC should not be considered a powerful antioxidant in its own right; its strength is the targeted replenishment of glutathione in deficient cells.
Reference material
2- 20Lee TM, Lee KM, Lee CY et al.. Effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine in autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry. 2021Source linkedPMID
- 21Sharma R, Tikka SK, Bhute AR et al.. N-acetyl cysteine in the treatment of cannabis use disorder: A systematic review of clinical trials. Addictive behaviors. 2022Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about NAC, drawn from the data on this page.
What is NAC?
The most effective oral precursor to glutathione, the body's master antioxidant. Powerful liver protectant, mucolytic, and mental health support compound.
What is NAC used for?
Commonly cited benefits of NAC include: Glutathione production; Liver protection; Detoxification; Respiratory health; Mental health support. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of NAC?
A typical adult dose of NAC is 600–1,800 mg daily. The commonly recommended form is NAC (standard form; take on empty stomach). These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of NAC?
Reported side effects include gi upset, nausea, rare: may thin mucus excessively. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for NAC?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
NAC in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.