Role of N-acetylcysteine as a therapeutic substance in paediatrics

Abstract

N-acetylcysteine belongs to commonly used drugs from expectorants. Its mechanism of action is not based on the modified mucus formation and/or its structure in airways only, however, it possesses also antioxidant or immunomodulatory properties.

These activities are discussed here in the context of its current therapeutic use with a special focus on paediatric population.

Keywords

• expectorants
• cough
• N-acetylcysteine
• NAC
• cystic fibrosis