NAC

Abbreviation with 2 meanings

NAC
Stands forN-acetylcysteine
Meanings2
CategoriesMedical, Technology & Computing

NAC has two meanings. It stands for N-acetylcysteine (drug) or Network access control (cybersecurity).

Meanings of NAC at a glance

#NAC stands forContext
1N-acetylcysteineMedical › Drug
2Network access controlTechnology & Computing › Cybersecurity

1. N-acetylcysteine

Medical · Drug Abbreviations

Antidote for acetaminophen overdose that replenishes glutathione and prevents liver injury when started early, ideally within 8 hours. It is also used as an inhaled mucolytic and is sold as a dietary supplement.

Example: Acetaminophen level above treatment line at 4 hours: start IV NAC 21-hour protocol.

Need for treatment is judged with the Rumack-Matthew nomogram based on the blood level and time since ingestion. The oral form smells strongly of rotten eggs because of its sulfur content. Brand names include Acetadote (IV) and Mucomyst (inhaled and oral).

2. Network access control

Technology & Computing · Cybersecurity Abbreviations

Technology that checks devices and users before letting them onto a network, verifying identity and security posture, such as patch level or antivirus status, and placing each device in the right network segment.

Example: NAC placed the unknown laptop on a quarantine VLAN until IT could check it.

NAC usually relies on 802.1X authentication with a RADIUS server, plus device profiling for printers and IoT equipment that cannot authenticate. Products include Cisco ISE, Aruba ClearPass and Forescout. Zero-trust designs extend similar checks to every application request.

More drug abbreviations

  • MSO4 – Morphine sulfate
  • MTX – Methotrexate
  • MVI – Multivitamin infusion
  • N2O – Nitrous oxide
  • NE – Norepinephrine
  • Neo – Neo-Synephrine (phenylephrine)
  • nitro – Nitroglycerin
  • NPH – Neutral protamine Hagedorn (isophane insulin)

See all 170 drug abbreviations →

More cybersecurity abbreviations

  • MFA – Multi-factor authentication
  • MITM – Man-in-the-middle
  • MSSP – Managed security service provider
  • mTLS – Mutual TLS
  • NDR – Network detection and response
  • NGFW – Next-generation firewall
  • NTLM – NT LAN Manager
  • NVD – National Vulnerability Database

See all 119 cybersecurity abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.