Tylenol's primary active ingredient is acetaminophen, which acts as a pain reliever and fever reducer. It is commonly used to treat minor aches and pains such as headaches, backaches, toothaches, muscle aches, arthritis pain, menstrual cramps, and to reduce fever
. How Tylenol works:
- Acetaminophen is thought to relieve pain by elevating the body's overall pain threshold, making you feel less pain
- It reduces fever by acting on the brain's heat-regulating center (the hypothalamus) to help the body eliminate excess heat
- Unlike NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or aspirin), acetaminophen does not have significant anti-inflammatory effects and primarily works in the central nervous system rather than at the site of pain
- The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it may involve blocking certain enzymes (COX enzymes) in the brain that help transmit pain signals and regulate body temperature
Tylenol is considered a safer option for pain relief in people who have stomach problems, are on aspirin therapy, have kidney disease, or are older adults
. Summary:
Tylenol (acetaminophen) relieves mild to moderate pain and reduces fever by
acting on the central nervous system to raise pain tolerance and lower body
temperature, without significant anti-inflammatory effects
