Updated 19 October 2026. HealthyHey makes one of the products below. They are ranked on one number you can check yourself: the cost of one gram of NAC, using the dose printed on each label and each brand's own listed price on the day we checked.
Key Takeaways
- What NAC is: N-acetyl L-cysteine is a form of the amino acid cysteine. The body uses cysteine to make glutathione.
- It is also a medicine: doctors use NAC to loosen thick mucus and, in hospital, for paracetamol overdose. In India some NAC products are prescription medicines and others are health supplements.
- The research is mixed: the best-known trials studied 600 mg a day or 600 mg twice a day in people with long-term lung conditions. One large trial found fewer flare-ups; another found no difference.
- Dose: supplements usually give 500 mg or 600 mg per capsule. Take what your label says.
- Compare cost per gram, not price per bottle: pack sizes and doses differ, so the bottle price alone can mislead.
- Safety: stomach upset is the most common side effect. Speak to a doctor first if you take nitrate medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a medical condition.
What NAC Is and How It Works
NAC is cysteine with an acetyl group attached. Once absorbed, it is converted to cysteine, and cells use cysteine to build glutathione. That is why NAC is often described as a glutathione precursor.
Only a small share of a swallowed dose reaches the blood unchanged: about 6 to 10 percent in a study of 600 mg doses (Borgström 1986). The share rose with larger single doses in a follow-up study of 200, 600 and 1,200 mg (Borgström and Kågedal 1990).
NAC is not a strong antioxidant on its own. A 2014 review concluded that its value lies in refilling glutathione in cells that are low on it, and that it is likely to do little in cells that already have enough (Rushworth and Megson 2014).
What the Research Shows
Most of the strong research on NAC comes from its use as a medicine for mucus in the airways. These studies were done in patients under medical care, so they tell you what NAC did in that setting, not what a supplement will do for a healthy person.
- PANTHEON (2014): 1,006 people in China with moderate to severe long-term lung disease took 600 mg twice a day or a placebo for a year. The NAC group had 1.16 flare-ups per person per year against 1.49 with placebo (Zheng 2014).
- BRONCUS (2005): 523 people took 600 mg once a day or a placebo for three years. There was no difference in lung function decline or in the number of flare-ups (Decramer 2005).
- Cochrane review (2019): across 38 trials of mucus-thinning medicines, NAC among them, people given these medicines were somewhat more likely to stay free of flare-ups. The authors noted that recent trials showed smaller benefits than the early ones (Poole 2019).
If you have a lung condition, follow your doctor's advice and keep taking what they prescribe. HealthyHey N-Acetyl L-Cysteine is a health supplement, labelled to support healthy respiratory function. It is not a medicine.
How Much NAC Do People Take?
The trials above used 600 mg a day or 600 mg twice a day. Supplements sold in India usually contain 500 mg or 600 mg per capsule or tablet, taken once or twice a day as the label says. Do not take more than your label states unless a doctor advises it. Taking NAC with a meal can make it easier on the stomach.
How to Choose a NAC Supplement
- NAC per capsule, and capsules per day: the label should state the amount of N-acetyl L-cysteine per serving in milligrams.
- Cost per gram of NAC: divide the price by the total grams of NAC in the pack. Our table does this for you.
- Other ingredients: plain NAC needs nothing added. Some products add selenium, molybdenum or a slow-release coating; decide whether you want those.
- Published lab reports: look for third-party results for heavy metals and microbes, and check what each report actually tested. A contaminant test does not measure how much NAC is inside.
- Licence and label: an Indian supplement should show an FSSAI licence number and say "Health Supplement". Imported products should name the importer.
- Smell: a faint sulfur smell is normal for NAC.
NAC Supplements in India Compared (19 October 2026)
Ranked by the cost of one gram of NAC. Prices are each brand's own listed price on 19 October 2026 unless another store is named, for the pack shown. Prices change often, so check before you buy.
| # | Product | NAC (label) | Units | Price | NAC per pack | Cost per gram | Other actives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VitaminHaat NAC 600 mg | 600 mg per capsule | 60 capsules | ₹485 (Amazon.in) | 36 g | ₹13.5 | None |
| 2 | HealthyHey N-Acetyl L-Cysteine | 500 mg per capsule | 120 capsules | ₹876 (healthyhey.com) | 60 g | ₹14.6 | None |
| 3 | Pure Nutrition NAC 600 mg | 600 mg per capsule | 60 capsules | ₹533 (brand site) | 36 g | ₹14.8 | None |
| 4 | Inlife N-Acetyl L-Cysteine 600 mg | 600 mg per capsule | 60 capsules | ₹549 (brand site) | 36 g | ₹15.2 | None |
| 5 | Carbamide Forte NAC 600 mg | 600 mg per tablet | 60 tablets | ₹599 (brand site) | 36 g | ₹16.6 | Vitamin C 80 mg per tablet |
| 6 | NutriJa NAC 600 mg | 600 mg per capsule | 60 capsules | ₹610 (HealthKart) | 36 g | ₹16.9 | None |
| 7 | NOW Foods NAC 1,000 mg (imported) | 1,000 mg per tablet | 120 tablets | ₹2,449 (Amazon.in, third-party seller) | 120 g | ₹20.4 | None |
| 8 | Unived NAC | 600 mg per capsule | 60 capsules | ₹850 (brand site) | 36 g | ₹23.6 | None |
| 9 | Fast&Up effervescent NAC + vitamin C | 600 mg per effervescent tablet | 20 effervescent tablets | ₹365 (brand site) | 12 g | ₹30.4 | Vitamin C 40 mg per tablet; sweetener and flavours |
| 10 | Life Extension NAC 600 mg (imported) | 600 mg per capsule | 60 capsules | ₹1,649 (Amazon.in, third-party seller) | 36 g | ₹45.8 | None |
| 11 | Wellbeing Nutrition Slow Advanced NAC + Glycine | 400 mg per capsule | 60 capsules | ₹1,357 (brand site) | 24 g | ₹56.5 | Glycine, vitamin C, zinc, selenium, molybdenum and a herbal blend; slow-release capsule |
Not in the table: Nakpro sells NAC as a loose powder (100 g for ₹319 on its site, about ₹3.2 per gram if the whole pack is NAC). We left it out of the ranking because powders are measured by scoop, and its page gives a scoop size and a serving count that do not match. Healthvit NAC 600 mg was sold out on its own site. NAC is also sold as a prescription medicine, for example 600 mg effervescent tablets from pharmacies; those are medicines, not supplements, so they are not compared here.
Cheapest per gram on the day we checked: VitaminHaat NAC 600 mg at ₹13.5 per gram. HealthyHey N-Acetyl L-Cysteine works out at ₹14.6 per gram at its ₹876 price for 120 capsules of 500 mg, number 2 of 11.
HealthyHey N-Acetyl L-Cysteine
- Label: 500 mg N-acetyl L-cysteine per capsule, one vegetarian capsule per serving, 120 capsules. Labelled to support healthy respiratory function.
- Ingredients on the label: N-acetyl L-cysteine, microcrystalline cellulose (INS 460(i)), tricalcium phosphate (INS 341(iii)), and an HPMC vegetarian capsule shell.
- Directions on the label: one capsule a day with a meal, or as a healthcare professional advises.
- Price: ₹876 on healthyhey.com on 19 October 2026 (MRP ₹1,329), or ₹14.6 per gram of NAC.
- Lab reports: two published reports from Avon Food Lab (NABL TC-11151). Heavy metals (issued 29 March 2025): lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury and the other metals tested were all below the lab's quantitation limit. Microbiology (issued 14 August 2026): Salmonella and Listeria absent in 25 g. Neither report measures the NAC content.
Who Should Be Careful With NAC
- Stomach upset: nausea, loose stools or an upset stomach are the most common complaints. Taking NAC with food can help.
- Nitrate medicines: NAC can strengthen the effect of nitroglycerin. In a hospital study where both were given by drip, low blood pressure was more common (Horowitz 1988). If you take nitrates for chest pain, ask your doctor first.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and under 18: speak to a doctor before use. HealthyHey N-Acetyl L-Cysteine is labelled for adults.
- Medical conditions and regular medicines: check with your doctor, and stop if you notice a rash or any allergic reaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NAC the same as glutathione?
No. NAC (N-acetyl L-cysteine) is a form of the amino acid cysteine. The body uses cysteine to make glutathione, so NAC is a building block for glutathione, not glutathione itself.
How much NAC do people usually take?
Most research used 600 mg once or twice a day. Supplements in India usually give 500 mg or 600 mg per capsule. Take the amount on your product's label, and ask your doctor before going higher.
When should I take NAC?
Follow the label. HealthyHey N-Acetyl L-Cysteine is taken as one capsule a day with a meal, which also helps if NAC upsets your stomach.
Why does NAC smell like sulfur?
NAC contains a sulfur group, so a faint sulfur or egg-like smell is normal. It is not a sign that the product has gone off, but always check the seal and the expiry date.
Should I choose 500 mg or 600 mg NAC?
The number on the capsule matters less than the daily amount and the price. Compare how much NAC you get per day and what one gram costs. Two 500 mg capsules give 1,000 mg; one 600 mg capsule gives 600 mg. The cost per gram in our table makes the comparison fair.
Is NAC a medicine or a supplement in India?
Both exist. Some NAC products are medicines, such as effervescent tablets used to loosen mucus, and are sold on prescription. Others are sold as health supplements under an FSSAI licence. A supplement is not a medicine.
Who should not take NAC without medical advice?
Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, anyone under 18, anyone taking nitroglycerin or other nitrate medicines, and anyone with a medical condition or on regular medication should speak to a doctor first.
Our Recommendation
Start with the label: the milligrams of NAC per capsule and how many capsules a day it asks for. Then compare the cost per gram in the table and whether the brand publishes lab reports you can read. If you want plain NAC with nothing else added and a published contaminant report, HealthyHey N-Acetyl L-Cysteine gives 500 mg per capsule at ₹14.6 per gram. If you have a lung condition or take regular medicines, talk to your doctor before starting NAC.
Sources
- Zheng JP et al. Twice daily N-acetylcysteine 600 mg for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (PANTHEON): a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Respir Med. 2014;2(3):187-194. doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(13)70286-8
- Decramer M et al. Effects of N-acetylcysteine on outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (BRONCUS): a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2005;365(9470):1552-1560. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)66456-2
- Poole P, Sathananthan K, Fortescue R. Mucolytic agents versus placebo for chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;5:CD001287. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001287.pub6
- Borgström L, Kågedal B, Paulsen O. Pharmacokinetics of N-acetylcysteine in man. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1986;31(2):217-222. doi:10.1007/BF00606662
- Borgström L, Kågedal B. Dose dependent pharmacokinetics of N-acetylcysteine after oral dosing to man. Biopharm Drug Dispos. 1990;11(2):131-136. doi:10.1002/bdd.2510110205
- Rushworth GF, Megson IL. Existing and potential therapeutic uses for N-acetylcysteine: the need for conversion to intracellular glutathione for antioxidant benefits. Pharmacol Ther. 2014;141(2):150-159. doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.09.006
- Horowitz JD et al. Combined use of nitroglycerin and N-acetylcysteine in the management of unstable angina pectoris. Circulation. 1988;77(4):787-794. doi:10.1161/01.cir.77.4.787
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Prices and labels were checked on 19 October 2026.