Pre-treatment for CT scan...

As I said in yesterday's post, before a CT scan is given to me pre-treatment is necessary. The oncologist prescribed NAC 600 mg for me to take the day before and day of the test.  After a difficult time locating it, and paying my co-pay, I find the following out.  NAC can be purchased as a supplement, that is why the pharmacies did not have it.  I paid more for four pills that what it would cost to buy an entire bottle over the counter.  Anyway, from what I have read this NAC will help my kidney process the contrast administered during the test.  I am surprised that I have not been told about this before.  From the articles below and others, it would appear to be a good supplement for me to be taking all of the time.  I will have to ask the doctor about this.  Then, after the CT scan I will have an IV to help get my system to flush at a faster rate.
 
N-Acetyl Cysteine
medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=24130

Acetylcysteine: An drug used to reduce the thickness of mucus and ease its removal. It is also used to reverse the toxicity of high doses of acetaminophen. Acetylcysteine with hydration significantly reduces the risk of contrast nephropathy in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. Also called N-acetyl-L-cysteine.
　

Defination of Contrast Nephropathy
medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=24132

Contrast nephropathy:  A form of acute renal failure that starts soon after administration of contrast media (dye) for X-rays. The disorder usually runs a benign course and only rarely requires recourse to dialysis.


N-Acetyl CysteineExcerpt from
vitaguide.org/n-acetyl-cysteine.html

"NAC is used by hospitals, in very high levels, to treat patients with acetaminophen poisoning. It also contributes to the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione, has proven to be effective in preventing kidney damage brought about by injections of iopromide (a contrast medium used in people undergoing CT imaging), and has been helpful in treating liver failure caused by drug toxicity, hepatitis, and more."

 "One study reported that the incidence of kidney damage dramatically dropped by 86% with the use of NAC. In that particular study 400mg of NAC were given twice a day on both the day before as well as the day of the procedure. Other studies related to this matter have shown NAC to be effective only when a low amount of dye is used. "


Glutathione: New Supplement on the Block
Excerpts from article from the following
medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=50746
By: Alison Palkhivala, Web MD Feature

"If you look in a hospital situation at people who have cancer, AIDS, or other very serious disease, almost invariably they are depleted in glutathione," says Appleton. "The reasons for this are not completely understood, but we do know that glutathione is extremely important for maintaining intracellular health."