The name ‘Paracetamol’ is derived from a compound name PARA-ACETylAMinophenOL by taking the underlined alphabets together. It is also refered to as acetaminophen. In some contexts, it is simply abbreviated as APAP, for Acetyl-Para AminoPhenol. Also variously referred to by trade names like Tylenol, Panadol and others. It is used orally, rectally, intramuscularly and intravenously. It is metabolized predominantly in the liver and 85-90% is excreted in the urine. Paracetamol is the active metabolite of phenacetin, once popular as an analgesic and antipyretic in its own right. It was in 1950 that the first paracetamol product- a combination of Paracetamol, Aspirin and Caffeine was on the USA market under the name Triagesic but was later phased out because of its untoward haematological effects. When it was discovered that Paracetamol does not have blood damaging effects, in 1955 Paracetamol was back in USA market. For over a century, Paracetamol has been widely used as an effective antipyretic and analgesic medication with well-established tolerability. Certainly, the discovery of Paracetamol was a monumental one. Today, it is unarguably the commonest used drug across the world. It comes handy in the treatment of various conditions that have fever and or pain as part of their manifestation and even labour pains.
