acetylcysteine

[ uh-seet-l-sis-tee-een, -in, uh-set-, as-i-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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acetylcysteine¹

acetyl + cysteine

Example Sentences

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

At a previous hearing in December, Team Sky chief Dave Brailsford said Fluimucil, a brand name for a legal decongestant containing acetylcysteine used for clearing mucus, was couriered to Wiggins in a package in 2011.

From Washington Times

Pfizer said it agreed to divest itself of four U.S. sterile injectable assets: Acetylcysteine, Clindamycin, Voriconazole and Melphalan.

From Wall Street Journal

The issue also reports on a third IPF drug called acetylcysteine that proved ineffective in a clinical trial.

From US News

Third, acetylcysteine is often prescribed.

From Slate