NAC doesn't cause more side effects than placebo when taken with OCD medication for kids and teens, with tiredness being the most common side effect in both groups.
Scientific Claim
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) added to citalopram shows no significant difference in adverse effects compared to placebo in children and adolescents with OCD, with fatigue being the most common adverse effect in both groups (11 in NAC vs 4 in placebo).
Original Statement
“The most common adverse effects in NAC group were as follows: Fatigue (n =11), sweating (n = 10), dizziness (n = 6), blurred vision (n = 5), insomnia (n = 5), and tremor (n = 5). However, the most common adverse effects in placebo group were as follows: Fatigue (n = 4), anorexia (n = 4), headache (n = 4), and dry mouth (n = 4).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
probability
Can suggest probability/likelihood
Assessment Explanation
The study design supports descriptive claims about safety, but the small sample size limits precision. The study states 'no statistically significant differences' which is appropriate for this finding.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Some psychometric properties of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Version 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQLTM) in the general Serbian population