Could a common liver drug help fight severe COVID-19?
NCT ID NCT04374461
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase 2 trial tests whether N-acetylcysteine, a drug already used for acetaminophen overdose and lung mucus, can help severe COVID-19 patients by boosting their immune system. About 48 critically ill adults will receive the drug alongside standard care. The goal is to see if it helps them leave the ICU or come off a ventilator.
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
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a new treatment option to help severe COVID-19 patients recover faster and leave the ICU or ventilator.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 48 participants, so results may not apply broadly. N-acetylcysteine is not yet proven for COVID-19, and side effects are possible.
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
Locations
-
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, 10065, United States
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