N-acetylcysteine reverses paracetamol (Tylenol) drug poisoning

2014-04-07 08:42:22

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is best known among the naturopathic community for its glutathione enhancing effects. NAC is a nutrient precursor for glutathione. Glutathione is one of the most important antioxidant enzymes present within cells. It is critical in protecting cells from chemical damage inflicted by exposure to toxins, including drug breakdown products or metabolites. A particularly well known example of this is Tylenol (acetaminophen or paracetamol). Tylenol metabolites need to be safely degraded by glutathione; in the event of Tylenol overdose, where there is excess of Tylenol metabolites relative to cellular content of glutathione, there is risk of serious, permanent liver damage. The conventional antidote for this is intravenous NAC. A recent study published in the prestigious journal, the Lancet reported again that intravenous NAC is an effective antidote for Tylenol (aka paracetamol).^[1]

The study was a randomized, double blind study involved three hospitals in the United Kingdom. Patients with Tylenol overdose were randomized to the standard treatment with intravenous NAC for 20-25 hours, or a shorter, modified protocol lasting for 12 hours. The study assessed whether NAC treatment would reduce vomiting, retching and the need for anti-nausea medication, as well as a decrease in ALT, a marker of liver damage. A total of 222 patients were included.

Results showed that both protocols of NAC administration were effective in reducing vomiting and retching at two hours, and lowered ALT levels, indicating less liver damage. The 12 hour protocol appeared to be more effective. This study shows the powerful impact of this nutrient in protecting the liver and improving metabolism of toxic byproducts.