acetaminophen

noun

acet·​amin·​o·​phen ə-ˌsē-tə-ˈmi-nə-fən 

ˌa-sə-tə-

: 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

Examples of acetaminophen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pain medication For temporary soothing, over-the-counter analgesic meds like acetaminophen can dull signals that cause widespread discomfort. —Hilary Tetenbaum, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024

Treatment includes acetaminophen, rest, and fluids. —Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024

Pain relievers like Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) can get rid of a headache. —Rachel Swalin, Health, 7 Apr. 2024

Though there is no specific medicine to treat dengue, sufferers can take acetaminophen to control their fever and reduce pain. —Joe Hernandez, NPR, 27 Mar. 2024

As for medications and ointments, this kit has a larger selection than most all-purpose competitors, though the quantities of aspirin, ibuprofen, and a non-aspirin acetaminophen are limited to just six tablets. —Adrienne Donica, Popular Mechanics, 4 Sep. 2023

Pain management: Pain management strategies may include painkillers such as acetaminophen or prescribed opioids. —The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 2024

According to the Mayo Clinic, too much acetaminophen can cause stomach irritation within hours and liver damage within a few days. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 2 Feb. 2024

Some of the orange pills also contained other drugs such as acetaminophen or caffeine. —Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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.

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

acetaminophen

noun

acet·​amin·​o·​phen ə-ˌsēt-ə-ˈmin-ə-fən 

: a crystalline compound used in medicine to relieve pain and fever

Medical Definition

acetaminophen

noun

acet·​amin·​o·​phen ə-ˌsēt-ə-ˈmin-ə-fən  ˌas-ət- 

: 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