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Turkiye Klinikleri Dermatoloji, vol.32, no.2, pp.120-127, 2022 (Scopus)
© 2022 OrtadogŸu Reklam Tanitim Yayincilik Turizm Egitim Insaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.. All rights reserved.N-acetylcysteine, a mucolytic and nephroprotective agent, is frequently used as an antidote to acetaminophen toxicity. Acting as a cysteine donor, it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects. It also causes changes in neurotransmitter levels. It prevents the proliferation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, generates vasodilation. With these properties, it has found potential use in a wide variety of medical fields, from neurology, psychiatry, nephrology, malignancies, various vascular disorders to lung diseases. Their use in dermatology has been reported in the literature in the form of small-scale studies, case reports, case series, in systemic and topical forms. Here, respectively; the usage areas in drug reactions (toxic epidermal necrolysis and drug hypersensitivity syndrome); psychodermatoses including skin picking disorders such as trichotillomania, trichotillomania, onychotillomania; diseases with epidermal barrier/keratinization disorders such as ichthyoses, contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis; photodermatoses such as xeroderma pigmentosum, melasma, pseudoporphyria; connective tissue diseases such as systemic sclerosis and lupus erythematosus; wound healing and bullous morphea; polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperandrogenism, acne and alopecia will be mentioned. Although the drug is easy to obtain and has a good safety profile, a higher level of evidence is required for wider use. In this review, the current usage areas and mechanisms of action of N-acetylcysteine in dermatology are reviewed and it is aimed to draw attention to the potential usage areas that are overlooked in daily dermatology practice. It is considered to be a safe and promising option for dermatological diseases.