how does paracetamol help reduce the fever if it is a painkiller? can other pain killers be used to relieve the fever..

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how does paracetamol help reduce the fever if it is a painkiller? can other pain killers be used to relieve the fever..

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Anonymous 0 Comments

I had to google what paracetamol is. LOL! It is called acetaminophen here in the States.

It reduces fever because it acts on the hypothalamus region of the brain which regulates body temperature. This is different from other over the counter pain meds which reduce fever by causing the release of certain chemical signals in the body.

I find it very effective at reducing fever, but largely less effective than other over the counter analgesics for pain. It only inhibits prostaglandin production (a substance that causes inflammation) in the body but NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen block the production entirely.

Anonymous 0 Comments

For a slightly more in depth explanation. Paracetamol is a painkiller and mild anti inflammatory. They work by blocking an enzyme in your body that is part of the normal inflammatory reaction of your brain. A part of the inflammatory reaction is the release of certain signalling molecules that tell your brain to make you have a fever. So by blocking the inflammatory reaction, you block the release of that molecule and there is nothing to tell your brain to give you a fever.

Many other painkillers such as ibuprofen can be used to relieve fever, paracetamol is a commonly used one because it is well tolerated, only mildly anti inflammatory compared to others, and are less damaging to your liver and kidney

Anonymous 0 Comments

There is an important part of your brain called the *hypothalamus,* which controls your body’s temperature. Over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol also affect the hypothalamus by making it to return your body’s temperature to normal.

Paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen are all effective fever reducers.