What is N-acetyl-L-cysteine?

N-acetyl cysteine is an amino acid used to counteract the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning and acetaminophen, explains WebMD. It is also used to treat conditions such as chest pain, Lou Gehrig?s disease and bile duct blockage in infants.

People take N-acetyl cysteine to lower lipoprotein, a type of cholesterol, and to reduce the possibility of strokes and heart attacks, claims WebMD. It is sometimes prescribed to treat bronchitis, hay fever, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, different types of cancer, such as lung cancer, and epilepsy. It is also used to treat liver damage due to alcoholism and the negative effects of environmental pollutants, such as chloroform and herbicides.