Aspect | Details |
Mechanism | Reversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase mainly in the CNS and is inactivated peripherally. |
Clinical use | Antipyretic and analgesic but not anti‑inflammatory; often used instead of aspirin in children with viral infections to avoid Reye syndrome. |
Adverse effects | Overdose causes hepatic necrosis; acetaminophen metabolite (NAPQI) depletes glutathione and forms harmful by‑products in liver; N‑acetylcysteine is antidote that regenerates glutathione. |
- Acetaminophen does not appear to bind to the active site of either the COX-1 or COX-2 enzyme. Instead, it reduces the activity of COX through an alternative mechanism
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