Acetaminophen, also known as Paracetamol or under its trade name Tylenol, is an analgesic (a pain killer). It relieves headaches and other minor aches and pains and lowers fever. Its chemical formula is C8H9NO2. and the structure is
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Comparable drugs include aspirin and ibuprofen (trade name Advil). Acetaminophen has an advantage over aspirin in that it doesn't cause stomach problems.
Common dosage is 500mg (up to 1000mg) every 4 hours for adults. In high overdoses, acetaminophen causes liver failure and a painful death if untreated; because of the wide over-the-counter availability of the drug, it is often used in suicide attempts.
Acetaminophen should not be taken after alcohol consumption, because the liver, when engaged in alcohol breakdown, cannot properly dispose of acetaminophen.