N-acetylcysteine in dermatology.

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol

Department of Dermatology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Published: January 2019

AI Article Synopsis

  • N-acetylcysteine is a mucolytic and antioxidant drug commonly used as an antidote for acetaminophen toxicity and has various applications in dermatology.
  • It offers potential benefits for conditions like toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug hypersensitivity syndrome, and several skin disorders, though most evidence comes from small studies and case reports.
  • N-acetylcysteine is affordable, generally safe with few side effects, and could have a more significant role in treating skin conditions if supported by higher-quality research.

Article Abstract

N-acetylcysteine is a mucolytic drug which is commonly used as an antidote for acetaminophen toxicity. It is a thiol compound, which acts as a donor of cysteine, leading to replenishment of glutathione and thus acts as an antioxidant. It also has anti-inflammatory effects, alters the levels of neurotransmitters, inhibits proliferation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes and causes vasodilatation. Due to these actions, n-acetylcysteine has found use in several dermatologic conditions in systemic and topical form. The drug has been used as an adjuvant in the management of conditions such as toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug hypersensitivity syndrome, trichotillomania, skin picking disorders and onychotillomania, ichthyoses, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, melasma, pseudoporphyria, connective tissue diseases, wound healing and alopecia. It also has a role in protection from radiation-induced skin damage including photo-ageing, photocarcinogenesis and radiation dermatitis. Most indications in dermatology are supported by case reports, small case series and small trials. Higher quality of evidence is needed for its wider use. The drug is cheap and is generally safe with few adverse effects. Thus a greater role is possible for use of n-acetylcysteine in various skin conditions. This review explores the various uses of n-acetylcysteine in the field of dermatology, the evidence supporting the same, the possible mechanisms of action and the adverse effects of the drug.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/ijdvl.IJDVL_33_18DOI Listing

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