Which statement best describes acetaminophen's drug class?

• A. NSAID with anti-inflammatory action
• B. Centrally acting muscle relaxant
• C. Nonopioid analgesic, antipyretic
• D. Opioid analgesic

Answer: (C)

Acetaminophen is best described as a nonopioid analgesic and antipyretic. It relieves pain and fever but has minimal anti-inflammatory action in peripheral tissues, which sets it apart from NSAIDs. Its effect is thought to arise mainly from inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the central nervous system, reducing pain perception and lowering fever without the anti-inflammatory benefits seen with NSAIDs. It is not an opioid analgesic, nor a central muscle relaxant. Clinically, it’s widely used for mild to moderate pain and fever, with the advantage of being gentler on the stomach than NSAIDs, but it can cause severe liver injury in overdose or with chronic alcohol use, so dosing must be carefully limited (usual maximum around 4,000 mg per day for adults, with lower limits for certain patients). In overdose, treatment with acetylcysteine is required to prevent liver damage.