Acetaminophen — commonly known by its brand name Tylenol — is a widely used over-the-counter medication for pain relief and fever.
It belongs to the class of drugs known as analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers).
Acetaminophen was synthesized in 1878 and has been used to treat pain and fever since 1893.
Acetaminophen is derived from coal tar, a viscous liquid produced when oxygen-deprived coal is subjected to high heat.
How Does Acetaminophen Work?
The mechanism by which acetaminophen relieves pain and fever is relatively unclear.
Researchers have debated the scientific evidence behind certain mechanisms of action, only for one study to refute another and so on.
The most recent and convincing scientific evidence on acetaminophen’s mechanism is that acetaminophen works on one of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes.
Inhibiting these enzymes prevents prostaglandin (PG) synthesis.
Prostaglandins (PGs) are substances that play important roles in various processes in our body, such as inflammation, blood clotting, and regulating blood pressure.
What are Tylenol or Acetaminophen Products Used For?
Acetaminophen is commonly used to alleviate mild to moderate pain, including headaches, muscle aches, toothaches, and menstrual cramps.
Tylenol or acetaminophen products are also frequently recommended to reduce fever associated with colds, flu, or other infections.
When used as directed and within recommended dosage limits, acetaminophen is generally considered safe and well-tolerated.
Since it’s known to be safe, Tylenol is one of the most recommended pain relievers for pregnant women.
However, this claim is being challenged by the growing scientific evidence linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to children who developed autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Acetaminophen Autism Lawsuits have been filed against distributors of generic acetaminophen.
