Tylenol, the brand name for acetaminophen, was introduced by McNeil Laboratories in 1955. The active ingredient acetaminophen was first synthesized in 1878 and its pain-relieving and fever-reducing properties were explored in the late 19th century, but it was not widely used until Tylenol was launched in the 1950s as a safer alternative to aspirin for children.
Key Historical Points
- Acetaminophen was first prepared by H.N. Morse in 1878.
- Its clinical use began around 1893 but was overshadowed by other drugs until research in the mid-20th century.
- Tylenol as a commercial product was introduced in 1955 by McNeil Laboratories, initially as a prescription elixir for children.
Thus, the discovery of acetaminophen dates to the late 19th century, and the discovery of the Tylenol brand specifically happened in 1955.
