What is NAC

Hello-my doctor at NJH recommended NAC to me during one of my first visits. It’s a capsule that I can get in a GNC store or health food store. 600 mg twice daily. It’s supposed to help loosen the mucus in the lungs. I have stubborn mucus plugs so I try whatever he recommends to loosen things up including drinking Mullein Leaf Tea, airway clearance vest, etc

My pulmonologist also recommended that I take NAC twice a day. I think it helps to make the mucus thinner and less sticky.

The best thing to do is Google it. Google NAC supplement. You will get all the information you need. I can tell you that it's I believe in fabulous for me; I'm stable. It works so well for the lungs that the pharmacy companies tried to get it removed from the health food stores and only available as a prescription medicine. It's great stuff - that's my opinion. I tried to always take two 600 mg capsules daily; sometimes three.
Very simply, it is an antioxidant. You need to Google it to get detailed information it would be too much to write here

I'm wondering if I could take the pills IN ADDITION to nebulizing N-Acetylcysteine twice daily???

I think that would be a question for your doctor.

We need to remember that when it comes to medications and supplements, more is not necessarily better. At worst, we are setting up for an overdose or increased side effects. At best, we are flushing money down the toilet because our body (hopefully) eliminates the excess.)

By doing adding oral NAC to the inhaled acetylcysteine, you would almost surely be exceeding the recommended daily dosage, which is 600-1800 mg per day.
Too much NAC can cause bronchsopasms, bleeding, issues with blood sugar, nausea and vomiting.

Here is the Mayo Clinic guidance on its use in a nebulizer:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/acetylcysteine-inhalation-route/proper-use/drg-20061456
I under stand wanting to do everything possible to beat back MAC, but sometimes we just need to be patient.

Thank you, Sue! You always have such wise and knowledgeable answers for us less experienced in his area. Your reply is just what I suspected to be true, so I will NOT be adding the pills to my regimen !
My diagnosis of BE just came a year ago, so I have had a lot to learn, and this Mayo group of contributors have given me so much information . I appreciate your taking all the time that you do to mentor us! (and all you who contribute) Thanks again !! Jan Skallerud

I tripped over NAC while in the south of France. I left my Mucinex at home and the pharmacist suggested a sachet of NAC. I have stubborn thick sputum and this sachet worked beautifully. This trip was to the Pyrenees where the air is clear and the hiking trails steep. My lungs were great, used almost no albuterol and I hiked 2-4 miles a day. I will continue to use now that I am home and it is with my pulmonologist’s blessing.

I find NAC works better for me than Mucinex in terms of mucus. Both make me more tired however.

@irenea8 @juliawb
I only use 600 mg a day of NAC because it caused my blood pressure to go lower and I felt it.. felt tired.

I couldn’t take the twice a day recommended dosage that many people seem to take, but the 600 mg a day works well.

@jnmy
I only take the 600 mg randomly but not daily.