- HOC6H4NHCOCH3
- acetaminophen acetaminophen n.
1. a white crystalline compound ({HO.C6H4.NH.CO.CH3}) used as
an analgesic and also as an antipyretic. It has molecular
weight 151.16. It is the active ingredient in the
commercial analgesics {Tylenol} and {Datril}.
Syn: p-hydroxyacetanilide, p-acetamidophenol, N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, paracetamol, N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide
Note: It is sold under many trade names, and has been one of the most popular analgesics in the late 20th century. It is used in place of aspirin by people in whom aspirin causes undesirable side effects, such as stomach irritation or stomach bleeding. [PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.