Most of us are very aware that certain drugs or drug classes cause liver toxicity or acute liver failure. One drug which is widely used for treatment of known and unknown hepatotoxicity is N-acetylcysteine, a glutathione precursor. This article will provide a brief information about the use of N-acetylcysteine in the events of hepatic toxicity. N-acetylcysteine is a glutathione precursor commonly used in the treatment of acetaminophen overdose. The drug is used to treat patients with the overdose for up to 48 hours.
In addition it is also used for carbon monoxide poisoning. When hepatobiliary disorders are considered, it can also be used in the treatment of bile duct blockage in infants. How it works in acetaminophen toxicity? N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treats acetaminophen poisoning by binding the poisonous forms of acetaminophen i.e. N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), that are formed…
