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acetylcysteine A synthetic N-acetyl derivative of the endogenous amino acid L-cysteine, a precursor of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione. Acetylcysteine regenerates liver stores of glutathione. This agent also reduces disulfide bonds in mucoproteins, resulting in liquification of mucus. Some evidence suggests that acetylcysteine may exert an anti-apoptotic effect due to its antioxidant activity, possibly preventing cancer cell development or growth. In addition, acetylcysteine has inhibited viral stimulation by reactive oxygen intermediates, thereby producing antiviral activity in HIV patients. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
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Synonyms: | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509152027im_/http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif) | L-Alpha-acetamido-beta-mercaptopropionic Acid N-Acetyl Cysteine N-acetyl-3-mercaptoalanine N-acetylcysteine N-acetyl-L-cysteine | | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509152027im_/http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif) | US brand name: | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509152027im_/http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif) | Mucomyst | | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509152027im_/http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif) | Foreign brand names: | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509152027im_/http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif) | Airbron Broncholysin Brunac Fabrol Fluatox Fluimucetin Fluimucil Fluprowit Muco Sanigen Mucocedyl Mucolator Mucolyticum Mucosolvin Mucret Neo-Fluimucil Parvolex Respaire Tixair | | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509152027im_/http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif) | Abbreviation: | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509152027im_/http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif) | NAC | | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090509152027im_/http://www.cancer.gov/images/spacer.gif) |
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