Antipyretic

An antipyretic is any pharmaceutical used for the purpose of lowering the body temperature of a person with a fever. Antipyretics work by suppressing interleukin, the hormone that directs the hypothalamus to raise body temperature. However, in most cases, physicians will use physical means, such as cooling blankets and ice to treat severe fever.
All the commonly used analgesic drugs, aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen work to reduce fever as well as pain and are appropriate for treating mild fevers. Ibuprofen is recommended for children as aspirin risks Reye's syndrome and acetaminophen has less of an antipyretic effect on children.
Other pharmaceuticals used as antipyretics are metamizole, nabumetone, nimesulide, phenazone, and quinine.
Category:Pharmaceuticals