N-Acetylcysteine (N-Acetyl Cysteine, NAC, N-Ac) is a prodrug for L-cysteine, which is used for the intention of allowing more glutathione to be produced when it would normally be depleted. The drug provides antioxidative effects and is helpful for its direct mineral chelating effect in animals with lead poisoning and may help reduce the symptoms associated with acute liver failure. In humans, n-acetylcysteine is used frequently to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), trichotillomania (the urge to rip out one s hair and consume it), and people with drug addictions.
