GlutathioneIs inhaled glutathione safe for people with asthma?
Updated 10 Nov 2026
Short answer
It can narrow the airways. In 8 people with mild asthma, 600 mg of inhaled glutathione lowered FEV1, the air a person can breathe out in 1 second, by 19%. Salt water lowered it by 1%. 4 people coughed and 3 felt short of breath. Inhaled salbutamol taken first prevented this. The authors think that sulfite formed from glutathione caused it.[1]
In people with cystic fibrosis, a Cochrane review found that inhaled glutathione may make little or no difference to adverse events.[2]
Sources (2)
- Nebulized glutathione induces bronchoconstriction in patients with mild asthma. Marrades RM, Roca J, Barberà JA, de Jover L, MacNee W, Rodriguez-Roisin R Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 1997. PMID 9279219
- Antioxidant supplementation for lung disease in cystic fibrosis. Ciofu O, Smith S, Lykkesfeldt J Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2019. PMID 31580490
More about glutathione
What is glutathione?Is glutathione absorbed when taken by mouth?Does glutathione work?Do glutathione levels fall with age?Is glutathione safe?Does glutathione lighten skin?For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.