acetaminophen

noun acet·amin·o·phen \ ə-ˌsē-tə-ˈmi-nə-fən , ˌa-sə-tə- \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Definition of acetaminophen

: a crystalline compound C₈H₉NO₂ that is a hydroxy derivative of acetanilide and is used in chemical synthesis and in medicine to relieve pain and fever

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Recent Examples of acetaminophen from the Web

Pain relievers include over-the-counter options like aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen, along with drugs that are specifically made to treat migraines.

— korin miller, SELF, "How to Tell if Vestibular Migraines Are Why You Get Dizzy So Often," 12 July 2018
Studies have shown that sometimes a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be just as good as or better than opioids.

— julie appleby, chicagotribune.com, "Doling out pain pills post-surgery: An ingrown toenail not the same as a bypass," 27 June 2018
For many pains, a combination of non-opioid therapies — acetaminophen and ibuprofen, as well as nonpharmaceutical alternatives like physical therapy, exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy — works quite well, and carries less serious risks.

— travis n. rieder, Philly.com, "Is it wrong to ask your doctor for opioids?," 23 Feb. 2018
In midtown Manhattan at a Duane Reade store, part of the Walgreens chain, a store-brand pack of 500 acetaminophen pills costs $18.99.

— bloomberg, latimes.com, "Amazon is already undercutting prices on over-the-counter pills," 6 July 2018
Studies have shown that sometimes a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be just as good as or better than opioids.

— julie appleby, chicagotribune.com, "Doling out pain pills post-surgery: An ingrown toenail not the same as a bypass," 27 June 2018
Unlike NSAIDs, acetaminophen does not reduce inflammation and is not generally considered effective in treating sinus infections.

— sandra g. boodman, Washington Post, "Her doctor said she had the flu. It took years to find the real, and strange, illness.," 23 June 2018
The doctors are also following recommendations based on recent research that shows over-the-counter stalwarts acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be more effective at treating pain than opioids.

— kristina davis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Weaning the county jail population off opioids," 23 Apr. 2018
Studies have shown that sometimes a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be just as good as or better than opioids.

— julie appleby, chicagotribune.com, "Doling out pain pills post-surgery: An ingrown toenail not the same as a bypass," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acetaminophen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of acetaminophen

acet(yl) + amino + phen(ol)

Note: Shortened from N-acetyl-p-aminophenol. Acetaminophen was introduced as a generic name roughly coincident with the introduction of the trademark preparation Tylenol, which was first marketed as "Children's Tylenol Elixir" in 1955 by McNeil Laboratories. Synthesis of the substance, as acetylamidophenol, was first reported in Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft, 11. Jahrgang (Jan.-Juni, 1878), p. 232-33 (H. N. Morse, "Ueber eine neue Darstellungsmethode der Acetylamidophenole"). Its antipyretic properties were recognized by the German physician Josef von Mering in the 1893 article "Beiträge zur Kenntniss der Antipyretica" (Therapeutische Monatshefte, 7, pp. 577-87)—he also refers to it as acetylamidophenol.

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First Known Use: 1958

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ACETAMINOPHEN Defined for English Language Learners

acetaminophen

noun

Definition of acetaminophen for English Language Learners

: a medicine that is used to relieve pain and fever

Medical Dictionary

acetaminophen

noun acet·amin·o·phen \ ə-ˌsēt-ə-ˈmin-ə-fən , ˌas-ət- \

medical Definition of acetaminophen

: a crystalline compound C₈H₉NO₂ that is a hydroxy derivative of acetanilide and is used in chemical synthesis and in medicine instead of aspirin to relieve pain and fever — called also paracetamol; see liquiprin, panadol, tylenol