acetaminophen

/euh see'teuh min"euh feuhn, as'i teuh-/, n. Pharm.

a crystalline substance, C₈H₉NO₂, used as a headache and pain reliever and to reduce fever.

[1955-60; ACET- + AMINO- + PHEN(OL)]

* * *

Drug used to relieve mild headache or muscle and joint pain and to reduce fever.

An organic compund, it relieves pain by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis in the central nervous system and reduces fever by acting on the temperature-regulating centre of the brain. Unlike aspirin, it has no anti-inflammatory effect. It also is much less likely to irritate the stomach and cause peptic ulcers, is not linked with Reye syndrome, and can be taken by persons using anticoagulants or allergic to aspirin. Overdosages can cause fatal liver damage. A common brand name in much of the world is Tylenol. See also ibuprofen.

* * *

▪ chemical compound

also called  paracetamol 

      drug used in the treatment of mild pain, such as headache and pain in joints and muscles, and to reduce fever. It is formed in the body as a metabolite of acetanilid (acetanilide) or phenacetin, which were once commonly used drugs, and is responsible for their analgesic effects. Acetaminophen relieves pain by raising the body's pain threshold, and it reduces fever by its action on the temperature-regulating centre of the brain. The drug inhibits prostaglandin synthesis in the central nervous system, but it lacks an anti-inflammatory effect in peripheral nerves. Acetaminophen is much less likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects than aspirin, but overdoses of it can cause fatal liver damage. For prolonged use, aspirin is considered safer. The drug is marketed under several trade names, including Tylenol, Tempra, and Panadol.

* * *