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NCI Drug Dictionary


acetaminophen 
A p-aminophenol derivative with analgesic and antipyretic activities. Although the exact mechanism through which acetaminophen exert its effects has yet to be fully determined, acetaminophen may inhibit the nitric oxide (NO) pathway mediated by a variety of neurotransmitter receptors including N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and substance P, resulting in elevation of the pain threshold. The antipyretic activity may result from inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis and release in the central nervous system (CNS) and prostaglandin-mediated effects on the heat-regulating center in the anterior hypothalamus. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Synonym:paracetamol
US brand name:Tylenol
Abbreviation:ACMP
Chemical structure:N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide