About N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) and finding it

Yes, I go to notifications. I kinda figured that out; but sure is confusing. After reviewing your post again, I realized you did not recommend Milk Thistle. I cannot take NAC because it causes me to itch plus I take Eliquis for AFib and NAC is not recommended for those products.

I take NAC and I don't itch. But I also take xarelto which is very similar to eliquis and I never heard that it is recommended that they not be taken together. I've been taking them both for years. Was it your pulmonogist or your cardiologist who told you not to take it? Or someone else?

I have seen Milk Thistle mentioned as a beneficial herb for those with MAC/Bronch as it is a source of glutathione. I believe that NAC is the best source of glutathione so the two are sometimes used together. I don't remember why glutathione is good for MAC/bronch people, but it was very high up on the list of "must add to my diet" things in my research several years ago. Nordic Naturals makes a supplement with NAC and Curcurmin combined. Curcurmin always makes me feel icky so I don't take it. But I wanted to jump in and mention that about milk thistle as I have seen it recommended but don't remember the science behind it.

The original discussion was use of NAC (supplement n
acetyl cysteine) as a mucolytic - to thin mucus in the lungs. There is no scientific evidence that milk thistle augments this property.

There are some studies showing milk thistle may help detoxify the liver, which is not routinely needed. However if the liver needs to be treated, it means it has a problem that should be overseen by a doctor. There are many cautions about using milk thistle with other meds, including antihistamines, birth control pills, anticoagulants, anti-anxiety meds and others. Be extremely careful when adding this supplement or any others if you take other medications.

Sue

Referring the main post/topic, there was a time when a news spread about NAC's effectiveness in recovering faster from the C19 disease. It has some confirmation in the scientific sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35084258/
This resulted in a temporary buyout and lack of NAC supplements from the market (I write from Poland). Not sure about NAC availability in other countries, but here it is available, eg.
https://zdrowersi.pl/nac-n-acetylo-l-cysteina-500mg-aliness-100-kapsulek-3857.html
If needed, it`s currently available.

Yes, you are correct that it is once again widely available. For a time, FDA was badgering supplement makers to stop selling it because they class it as a "drug" not a supplement. In very high doses, it is used to detox patients (via IV) after accidental or intentional Tylenol overdoses. In the dosage sold as a supplement, it is safe for daily use.
I buy mine through reputable mail-order supplement sources. I only buy respected name brands manufactured in the US. Foreign-sourced supplement, which are not regulated, too often fail to contain the proper contents in the stated amounts.
Sue

Hi all,
A friend of mine just told me that her pulmonologist recommended her to take a supplement called NAC. She has bronchiectasis and MAC for over 10 years now. I just want to share with you to see if anyone is interested. 
Take care!
Ling

Hi Ling,
I moved your post to this existing discussion:
- About N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) and finding it https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/finding-nac/

You may also be interested in this related discussion:
- Supplements and the Big 3 https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/supplements/

Do you use NAC?

I am a Mayo Clinic Connect and I have Bronchiectasis with Pseudomonas for many years. I researched and found out about NAC, I use it separately from my regular breathing regime of Albuterol and 7% saline then Tobramycin. When I read the discussion about the different manufacturers to buy it it from it seemed that everyone was taking NAC pills by mouth. Yet I was given a prescription to use in my nebulizer and purchase it from the pharmacy. What is the difference, is it the disease or the doctor? Also my doctors at NJH are not very supportive of NAC but I think it does help thin the mucus, any thoughts would be appreciated

Hello Roz. I also have Bronchiectasis and Chronic Pseudomonas. It sounds like you are nebulizing NAC? But if NJH are not supportive who gave you the prescription? I would think nebulizing it would be more effective than pills. I am not able to use Tobramycin due to side effects unfortunately. I only nebulize saline 7% twice a day and glutathione once every other day. I tried taking NAC pills but they give me insomnia. I found that Mucinex works better for me with less side effects. Have you been treated with any other antibiotics?