n.
Drug used to relieve mild headache or muscle and joint pain and to reduce fever.
An organic compund, it relieves pain by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis in the central nervous system and reduces fever by acting on the temperature-regulating centre of the brain. Unlike aspirin , it has no anti-inflammatory effect. It also is much less likely to irritate the stomach and cause peptic ulcer s, is not linked with Reye syndrome , and can be taken by persons using anticoagulant s or allergic to aspirin. Overdosages can cause fatal liver damage. A common brand name in much of the world is Tylenol. See also ibuprofen .