Effect of N-acetyl cysteine versus placebo on clinical outcomes in patients with acute radicular lumbar pain

Effect of N-acetyl cysteine versus placebo on clinical outcomes in patients with acute radicular lumbar pain: a double-blind randomized clinical trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Phase 3

Study type

Interventional

Source

IRCT

Registry ID

IRCT20120215009014N381

Enrollment

Registered

2021-02-06

Start date

2021-05-05

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2021-02-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Acute radicular lumbar pain. Spinal enthesopathy, lumbar region

Interventions

Intervention 1: Intervention group: Routine treatment plus N-acetyl cysteine tablet (manufactured by Osveh Pharmaceutical Co.) 600 mg every 12 hours for 2 months. Intervention 2: Control group: Routin

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 65 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Age of 18 to 65 years, Acute lumbar radicular pain due to disc herniation, A minimum pain intensity score of 4 or more based on the VAS, A minimum functional disability score of 30 or more based on disability index questionnaire, Symptoms start between the last 2 to 12 weeks, Lack of proper response to NSAIDs and corticosteroids

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Taking herbal medications or products or other supplements in the last 3 months, Spinal canal stenosis or intervertebral disc degeneration, Patients with progressive and severe motor symptoms, History of neuropathy for other reasons, History of lumbar surgery, Existence of any malignancy, Pregnancy or breastfeeding, Chronic liver or kidney disease, Hypersensitivity to N-acetyl cysteine

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Functional disability. Timepoint: Before the intervention and in second, fourth, and eighth weeks after the intervention. Method of measurement: Using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).;The severity of pain. Timepoint: Before the intervention and in second, fourth, and eighth weeks after the intervention. Method of measurement: Using Visual Analog Scale (VAS).;Response to treatment. Timepoint: 8 weeks after the intervention. Method of measurement: Using Global Response Assessment (GRA).	—

Measure

Time frame

Functional disability. Timepoint: Before the intervention and in second, fourth, and eighth weeks after the intervention. Method of measurement: Using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).;The severity of pain. Timepoint: Before the intervention and in second, fourth, and eighth weeks after the intervention. Method of measurement: Using Visual Analog Scale (VAS).;Response to treatment. Timepoint: 8 weeks after the intervention. Method of measurement: Using Global Response Assessment (GRA).

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Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Gastrointestinal or systemic adverse effects. Timepoint: In the second, fourth, and eighth weeks after the intervention. Method of measurement: By taking history.	—

Countries

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Contacts

Public ContactZaeinab Sadat Seyedian

Hamedan University of Medical Sciences

seyedian2319@gmail.com+98 81 3838 0572

Outcome results

None listed

Source: IRCT (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026