acetylcysteine

American  

[uh-seet-l-sis-tee-een, -in, uh-set-, as-i-tl-] / əˌsit lˈsɪs tiˌin, -ɪn, əˌsɛt-, ˌæs ɪ tl- /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a substance, C 5 H 9 NO 3 S, used in solution as an inhalant to dissolve mucus in the treatment of chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema and also used as an antidote in acetaminophen poisoning.

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Etymology

Origin of acetylcysteine

acetyl + cysteine

Example Sentences

For decades, doctors have relied on a drug called acetylcysteine as an effective antidote for acetaminophen overdose.

From Science Daily

The ongoing phase II trial is designed to determine whether adding fomepizole to standard acetylcysteine treatment can reduce liver damage in patients at high risk after acetaminophen overdose.

From Science Daily

Participants are randomly assigned to receive either both medications or acetylcysteine alone.

From Science Daily

"The problem is that many patients don't present with acetaminophen poisoning until after they have liver injury, at which point the acetylcysteine is less effective, and in some cases doesn't really work at all," Heard says.

From Science Daily

Patients with a life-threatening level of paracetamol in their blood can be treated with an antidote called acetylcysteine, given by intravenous drip.

From BBC