Acetaminophen, more commonly known by brand names such as Tylenol, is not a true NSAID, as it does not have anti-inflammatory properties. However, it is commonly discussed alongside NSAIDs as it has similar antipyretic and analgesic properties. Although its mechanism of action is not well-understood, there is still plenty to discuss in terms of its properties and applications, so let’s get a closer look at this famous drug.
We just learned about aspirin, so let’s touch on another very popular drug, acetaminophen. acetaminophen was first produced in 1877 by harmon northrop morse at johns hopkins university. it wasn’t tested clinically, however, until 1893, when it was compared against another leading analgesic of the time, phenacetin,
By joseph von mering. mering noted that phenacetin use could lead to methemoglobinemia, a condition that limits the transport of oxygen to cells in the body. biochemists david lester and leon greenberg showed that not only does the body metabolize acetaminophen is just as effective as phenacetin, not
Carcinogenic, whereas phenacetin is. consequently acetaminophen became widely used, and now, it is one of the most used drugs in the us, acetaminophen, more commonly known by the brand name tylenol, of the u.s., is often classified with nsaids, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. although it is prescribed
As an antipyretic and analgesic, to no anti-inflammatory activity. acetaminophen for painful stimuli, but unlike any nsaid, cyclooxygenase enzymes that produce prostaglandins because of this, acetaminophen is not a suitable substitute for nsaids in chronic inflammatory the mechanism by which acetaminophen
Produces its effects are actually not well known. it has been suggested that it can inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes more effectively in the brain and central nervous system, leading to its antipyretic and analgesic effects. these sites have a lower which are produced at sites of inflammation acetaminophen
Can inhibit cyclooxygenase enzymes. actually inhibit a third cyclooxygenase enzyme, encodes this third cox enzyme, no studies have the weak inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes makes acetaminophen a good choice for pain and fever relief with little of the blood thinning nsaids. acetaminophen is therefore
Prescribed in asthmatics, who may have bad reactions to aspirin. it can at high doses cause liver toxicity, acetaminophen can be processed by the liver to be removed from the body by two pathways. where a drug or its metabolite are chemically coupled to an additional molecule to increase its solubility and
Ability to be removed from the body. within the levels of a safe dose, molecules of sulfate or glucuronide are covalently bound to acetaminophen in order for it to be excreted. too much acetaminophen, however, will overload or saturate this pathway, causing excess drug to be shunted to a pathway where it is metabolized
Via oxidation by the liver enzyme cytochrome-3a4, cyp-3a4 creates a toxic product called napqi, called glutathione in order to be excreted. high levels of acetaminophen overloading this pathway can deplete stores of glutathione, leaving the reactive napqi product to covalently bind to and disrupt other proteins in
The liver, leading to potentially fatal liver dysfunction. this risk is more significant in people who are fasting or consuming alcohol. malnutrition can lead to the depletion of glutathione stores, itself from the toxic napqi metabolite. as well as induce, or increase the amount of, covered, let’s
Move on to another of the best-known drugs in the world, ibuprofen.
Transcribed from video
Acetaminophen/Paracetamol (Tylenol) By Professor Dave Explains
