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

Use pain relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen) or using a heating pad can help ease cramping. —Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2024

Sarah Gillis, a lead SpaceX operations engineer who was a mission specialist aboard Polaris Dawn, also noted that crew members had their blood drawn before and after the mission to evaluate how their bodies processed drugs — such as acetaminophen (or Tylenol) — in orbit versus on Earth. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024

For example, it’s recommended to lie down for five minutes after inserting an acetaminophen suppository. —Ashley Wong, Health, 17 Oct. 2024

Mayo Clinic recommends the following medications to help with symptoms: Fever reducers Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen Cough syrup or medicine For those who are at high risk of severe COVID-19, your doctor may prescribe medicine such as Paxlovid and Lagevrio. —Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 16 Sep. 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