###### Created: 2023-10-17 16:22 ###### Areas & Topics: #medicine #pharmacology ###### Note Type: #permanent ###### Connected to: [[Migraine]] - Paracetamol, also known as Acetaminophen, is one of the most widely used and readily available analgesic drugs in the world today. - The words acetaminophen and paracetamol come from the shortened forms of N-acetyl-para-aminophenol and para-acetyl-amino-phenol, respectively. ### Mechanism of Action - The mechanism of action of paracetamol is not currently fully understood. - Like [[Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID's)]], it appears to inhibit COX pathways but in the same way. - Whilst it does share analgesic and antipyretic properties alongside the conventional NSAIDS, it does not appear to affect inflammation peripherally which is why it is considered separate from NSAID class. - This appears to suggest that it affects the COX pathways in the CNS but not peripherally. - Additionally, it is theorised that paracetamol might affect a splice variant of COX-1, known as COX-3, but this has so far been unproven in humans. - It is also theorised that paracetamol may stimulate the endocannabinoid system or affect serotonergic pathways in the CNS as part of its mechanism. ![[Pasted image 20231017163829.png]] ### Resources https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482369/