Acetaminophen And Codeine Phosphate #2 Medical Drug

Medical Drugs > Analgesics, Antitussives, Prodrugs

Description

Acetaminophen is a widely-used analgesic and antipyretic medication. Derived from coal tar, it is the active metabolite of phenacetin, but unlike phenacetin, paracetamol has not been shown to be carcinogenic in any way. Paracetamol generally is well tolerated, lacks many of the side-effects of aspirin, and is available over-the-counter. It is commonly used for the relief of fever, headaches, and other minor aches and pains. Paracetamol is a major ingredient in numerous cold and flu remedies.

While generally safe for human use at recommended doses, acute overdoses of paracetamol can cause potentially fatal liver damage and, in rare individuals, a normal dose can do the same.

The words acetaminophen and paracetamol come from the chemical names for the compound: para-acetylaminophenol and para-acetylaminophenol. The brand name Tylenol also derives from this name: para-acetylaminophenol. In some contexts, it is shortened to APAP, for N-acetyl-para-aminophenol.