acetaminophen

[ uh-see-tuh-min-uh-fuhn ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a crystalline substance, C 8 H 9 NO 2 , used as a headache and pain reliever and to reduce fever.

acetaminophen

/ ə-sē′tə-mĭn′ə-fən,ăs′ə- /

1. A crystalline compound used in medicine to relieve pain and reduce fever. Chemical formula: C 8 H 9 NO 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of acetaminophen¹

First recorded in 1955–60; acet- + amino- + phen(ol)

Example Sentences

If you don’t have any contraindications, a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen could do the trick.

From Los Angeles Times

Q: A few years ago, my primary physician said that you don’t have to worry about consuming alcohol and taking acetaminophen together unless you are an alcoholic.

From Seattle Times

My primary care doc is fairly progressive, but he knew nothing about NAC other than its use in the emergency room to reverse acetaminophen overdose.

From Seattle Times

You feel a pain, so you pop a couple of ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

From Science Daily

The analysis linked acetaminophen use in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy to modest but significant delays in early language development.

From Science Daily