Antipyretics

• Antipyretics from the Greek anti, against, and pyreticus, (pertaining to fever) are drugs 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 Antipyretics 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.