Reviewed by Peptide Treatments Medical Advisory Board (Medical Advisory Board)
NAC (N-Acetylcysteine): Side Effects & Safety
Known side effects, safety considerations, and adverse reaction data for NAC (N-Acetylcysteine).
Back to NAC (N-Acetylcysteine) overviewData source: These side effects are documented in FDA-approved prescribing information.
Reported Side Effects (6 items)
| # | Side Effect |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nausea and vomiting (10-30% with oral administration) |
| 2 | Anaphylactoid reactions (5-18% with IV acetaminophen overdose protocol) |
| 3 | Rash (2-5%, usually mild) |
| 4 | Sulfurous 'rotten egg' odor (common with oral use) |
| 5 | Seizures (rare, associated with overdose) |
| 6 | Hepatotoxicity (rare, very high doses only) |
Known Drug Interactions
Important: Only documented and contraindicated interactions are shown here. View all interactions including theoretical →
| Drug | Classification | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| activated charcoal | Documented | Activated charcoal adsorbs oral NAC, reducing absorption — separate administration by 2+ hours |
| nitroglycerin | Documented | NAC potentiates nitroglycerin-induced vasodilation and hypotension — monitor blood pressure |