sodium nitrite + n-acetylcysteine

Sodium nitrite + n-acetylcysteine is a combination of two small molecule drugs. Sodium nitrite is an inorganic compound used medically as an antidote for cyanide poisoning and in other settings as a vasodilator. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a thiol-containing antioxidant and precursor to glutathione, widely used as an antidote for acetaminophen overdose, mucolytic agent, and in various experimental or adjunctive therapies due to its antioxidant and cytoprotective properties. The combination has been studied primarily in preclinical models for its potential protective effects against sodium nitrite-induced oxidative stress and tissue injury, with NAC mitigating the toxic effects of sodium nitrite by enhancing antioxidant defenses and reducing DNA damage[1][7]. Mechanistically, sodium nitrite acts by releasing nitric oxide (NO), leading to vasodilation via activation of guanylate cyclase; NAC acts both directly as a glutathione substitute/antioxidant and indirectly by replenishing intracellular glutathione levels[6][10]. There are no established brand names or approved pharmaceutical products combining these two agents specifically.