ACETAMINOPHEN

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 it‍‍‍‍‍‍​​​‍​​​​​​s 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. In the short term, paracetamol is safe and effective when used as directed.Short term adverse effects are uncommon and similar to ibuprofen.Paracetamol is typically safer thannonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) for long-term use.Paracetamol is also often used in patients who cannot tolerate NSAIDs like ibuprofen.Chronic consumption of paracetamol may result in a drop inhemoglobinlevel, indicating possiblegastrointestinal bleeding,andabnormal liver function tests. The recommended maximum daily dose for an adult is three to four grams.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.