Could a common antioxidant help COVID-19 patients breathe easier?
NCT ID NCT07374991
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, could help people with severe COVID-19 lung failure in the ICU. 59 adults received either NAC or a placebo alongside standard care. Researchers measured changes in inflammation markers and tracked survival and length of ICU stay.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, NAC could become a cheap, widely available add-on treatment to reduce inflammation and improve survival in severe COVID-19 lung injury.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with only 59 participants. Results may not apply to all patients, and NAC's benefits are uncertain until larger studies confirm them.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Gaziantep üniversity
Gaziantep, 27, Turkey (Türkiye)