Antipyretic
Encyclopedia
Antipyretics /ænti.paɪˈrɛ.tɪks/; an-tee-pahy-ret-iks; from the Greek anti, against, and pyreticus, (pertaining to fever) are drug
s or herbs that reduce fever
. Normally, they will not lower body temperature if one does not have a fever. Antipyretics cause the hypothalamus
to override an interleukin
-induced increase in temperature. The body then works to lower the temperature, result in a reduction in fever.
Most antipyretic medications have other purposes. The most common antipyretics in the United States are ibuprofen
and aspirin
, which are used primarily as pain relievers
. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and pain relievers. There is some debate over the appropriate use of such medications, as fever is part of the body's immune response
to infection.
The effectiveness of acetaminophen (paracetamol) alone as an antipyretic in children is uncertain, with some evidence showing it is no better than physical methods. Therapies involving the combination of acetaminophen and aspirin
, or alternating doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen
have shown somewhat greater antipyretic effect than acetaminophen alone.
or sponging with lukewarm or cool water can effectively reduce body temperature in those with heat illness
but not usually fever
. The use of alcohol baths is not an appropriate cooling method, because there have been reported adverse events associated with systemic absorption of alcohol.
Drug
A drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.In pharmacology, a...
s or herbs that reduce fever
Fever
Fever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
. Normally, they will not lower body temperature if one does not have a fever. Antipyretics cause the hypothalamus
Hypothalamus
The Hypothalamus is a portion of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions...
to override an interleukin
Interleukin
Interleukins are a group of cytokines that were first seen to be expressed by white blood cells . The term interleukin derives from "as a means of communication", and "deriving from the fact that many of these proteins are produced by leukocytes and act on leukocytes"...
-induced increase in temperature. The body then works to lower the temperature, result in a reduction in fever.
Most antipyretic medications have other purposes. The most common antipyretics in the United States are ibuprofen
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, fever, as an analgesic , especially where there is an inflammatory component, and dysmenorrhea....
and aspirin
Aspirin
Aspirin , also known as acetylsalicylic acid , is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, as an antipyretic to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication. It was discovered by Arthur Eichengrun, a chemist with the German company Bayer...
, which are used primarily as pain relievers
Analgesic
An analgesic is any member of the group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos ....
. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and pain relievers. There is some debate over the appropriate use of such medications, as fever is part of the body's immune response
Immune system
An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism's own...
to infection.
The effectiveness of acetaminophen (paracetamol) alone as an antipyretic in children is uncertain, with some evidence showing it is no better than physical methods. Therapies involving the combination of acetaminophen and aspirin
Aspirin
Aspirin , also known as acetylsalicylic acid , is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, as an antipyretic to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication. It was discovered by Arthur Eichengrun, a chemist with the German company Bayer...
, or alternating doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, fever, as an analgesic , especially where there is an inflammatory component, and dysmenorrhea....
have shown somewhat greater antipyretic effect than acetaminophen alone.
Behaviors
BathingBathing
Bathing is the washing or cleansing of the body in a fluid, usually water or an aqueous solution. It may be practised for personal hygiene, religious ritual or therapeutic purposes or as a recreational activity....
or sponging with lukewarm or cool water can effectively reduce body temperature in those with heat illness
Heat illness
Heat illness or heat-related illness is a spectrum of disorders due to environmental heat exposure. It includes minor conditions such as heat cramps, heat syncope, and heat exhaustion as well as the more severe condition known as heat stroke....
but not usually fever
Fever
Fever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
. The use of alcohol baths is not an appropriate cooling method, because there have been reported adverse events associated with systemic absorption of alcohol.
Medications
Many medications have antipyretic effects and thus are useful for fever but not heat illness, including:- NSAIDs like ibuprofenIbuprofenIbuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, fever, as an analgesic , especially where there is an inflammatory component, and dysmenorrhea....
, naproxen sodium, and ketoprofenKetoprofenKetoprofen, 2--propionic acid is one of the propionic acid class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic and antipyretic effects...
. - AspirinAspirinAspirin , also known as acetylsalicylic acid , is a salicylate drug, often used as an analgesic to relieve minor aches and pains, as an antipyretic to reduce fever, and as an anti-inflammatory medication. It was discovered by Arthur Eichengrun, a chemist with the German company Bayer...
, and related salicylates like choline salicylate, magnesium salicylate, and sodium salicylate - ParacetamolParacetamolParacetamol INN , or acetaminophen USAN , is a widely used over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic . It is commonly used for the relief of headaches and other minor aches and pains and is a major ingredient in numerous cold and flu remedies...
(Acetaminophen) - MetamizoleMetamizoleMetamizole sodium or dipyrone is a powerful analgesic and antipyretic. It is marketed under various trade names, including Algozone, Algocalmin, Analgin, Dipirona, Novalgin, Neo-Melubrina and Optalgin. Metamizole was first synthesized by the German company Hoechst AG in 1920, and its mass...
- NabumetoneNabumetoneNabumetone is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug , the only 1-naphthaleneacetic acid derivative. Nabumetone has been developed by Beecham...
- NimesulideNimesulideNimesulide is a relatively COX-2 selective, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic and antipyretic properties. Its approved indications are the treatment of acute pain, the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis and primary dysmenorrhoea in adolescents and adults above 12 years old...
- PhenazonePhenazonePhenazone , phenazon, antipyrine , or analgesine is an analgesic and antipyretic. It was first synthesized by Ludwig Knorr in 1883. It is formed by reducing diortho- dinitrodiphenyl with sodium amalgam and methyl alcohol, or by heating diphenylene-ortho-dihydrazine with hydrochloric acid to...
- QuinineQuinineQuinine is a natural white crystalline alkaloid having antipyretic , antimalarial, analgesic , anti-inflammatory properties and a bitter taste. It is a stereoisomer of quinidine which, unlike quinine, is an anti-arrhythmic...