NAC

NAC is an FDA-approved mucolytic and the standard of care for paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose, included on the WHO list of essential medicines. Clinical studies suggest potential benefits in psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, OCD, and addiction, as well as in diabetic nephropathy and neurodegenerative conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa, where a Phase III trial is ongoing. However, many experimental findings attributed to NAC's direct antioxidant properties may be misinterpreted, as NAC does not directly react with hydrogen peroxide and its inhibition of redox-active fluorescent probes can occur through multiple indirect mechanisms. Evidence for most off-label uses remains preliminary, with few large-scale randomized controlled trials completed.