USDailyMed:Acetaminophen
AU:A
Analgesic;antipyretic
N02BE01(WHO)N02BE51(WHO)N02BE71(WHO)
AU:S4(Prescription only) OTC, and unscheduledCA:OTC/ Rx-onlyUK:General sales list(GSL, OTC)US:OTC/ Rx-onlyCN:OTC
N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide
103-90-2
1983
5239
DB00316
1906
362O9ITL9D
D00217
CHEBI:46195
ChEMBL112
TYL (PDBe,RCSB PDB)
DTXSID2020006
Interactive image
7.21g/kg (0°C)8.21g/kg (5°C)9.44g/kg (10°C)10.97g/kg (15°C)12.78g/kg (20°C)~14mg/ml (20°C)
CC(=O)Nc1ccc(O)cc1
InChI=1S/C8H9NO2/c1-6(10)9-7-2-4-8(11)5-3-7/h2-5,11H,1H3,(H,9,10)Key:RZVAJINKPMORJF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Paracetamol,oracetaminophen,is ananalgesicandantipyreticagent used to treatfeverand mild to moderatepain.It is a widely availableover-the-counter drugsold generically or undervarious brand names, includingTylenolandPanadol.
Paracetamol relieves pain in both acute mildmigraineand episodictension headache.Theaspirin/paracetamol/caffeinecombination also helps with both conditions when the pain is mild and is recommended as afirst-line treatmentfor them.At a standard dose, paracetamol slightly reduces fever,though it is inferior toibuprofenin that respectand the benefits of its use for fever are unclear, particularly in the context of fever of viral origins.Paracetamol is effective for pain afterwisdom toothextraction, but it is less effective thanibuprofen.Thecombination of paracetamol and ibuprofenprovides greater analgesic efficacy than either drug alone.The pain relief paracetamol provides inosteoarthritisis small and clinically insignificant.Evidence supporting its use in low back pain,cancer pain, andneuropathic painis insufficient.Paracetamol is thefirst-line treatmentfor pain and fever inpregnancy; no causal association withneurodevelopmental disordershas been established, while untreated pain and fever can harm the mother andfetus.
In support of existing recommendations for its safe use during pregnancy, a 2026 review found that there were no clinically significant increases in the occurrence ofautism,attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, orintellectual disabilityin the children of pregnant women who used paracetamol as directed.
When used as directed, at a recommended maximum daily dose for an adult of three to four grams,paracetamol is safe and effective in the short term,with uncommon adverse effects similar to those of ibuprofen.It is often used in patients who cannot toleratenonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) like ibuprofen,than which paracetamol is typically safer in long-term use.However, chronic consumption of paracetamol may result in a drop inhemoglobinlevel, indicating possiblegastrointestinal bleeding,andabnormal liver function tests, and higher doses may lead to toxicity, includingliver failure.Paracetamol poisoningis the foremost cause ofacute liver failurein theWestern world, and accounts for most drug overdoses in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
Paracetamol was first made in 1878 byHarmon Northrop Morseor possibly in 1852 byCharles Frédéric Gerhardt.It is the most commonly used medication for pain and fever in both the United States and Europe.It is on theWorld Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.Paracetamol is available as ageneric medication, with brand names includingTylenoland Panadol, amongothers.In 2023, it was the 112th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 5million prescriptions.
