My favorite organic molecule is acetaminophen. It is used as
a painkiller and is commonly known as Tylenol.
( It is also called Paracemtol as well as Panadol). I find this organic molecule
particularly useful, especially when I have a headache!
In 1886, a compound called acetanilide mistakenly used by
two French doctors to cure a patient of internal parasites. They noticed that
the drug helped reduce fever in the patient and that it had analgesic
properties. It was later discovered that the body metabolizes this drug to form
acetaminophen. In 1909, acetaminophen
was first synthesized by a German scientist named Joseph Freiher von Mering.
The compound was then forgotten until 1949 when other similar compounds were
being studied. It then began its popularization through the production of
Tylenol by the McNeil company.
Acetaminophen is a white crystalline powder with the formula
of C8H9NO2 . It is most commonly found in
tablet form, to be taken orally, but liquid treatments can also be found.
This drug is primarily used as a painkiller. It does not
have any anti inflammatory properties like other commonly used painkillers do
(NSAIDS), but it does have fever reducing properties. However, unlike many NSAIDS,
acetaminophen is less likely to damage stomach linings and the gastrointestinal
tract.
The dangers of acetaminophen are overdoses. An intake of
this drug exceeding 4000 milligrams a day can lead to liver damage. In some
cases, liver transplants and even death are results of regular overdose of
acetaminophen.
Sources:
Wow! It's good to know these things about Tylenol! I definitely use it often for varying pain related issues but I did not know some of this information. I wasn't aware of the way that the human body digests this molecule. I am happy that we have something that is an over-the-counter drug that reduces fever!
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