Antipyretics are used to combat fever.
The first thing we are going to do before entering into establishing the meaning of the term antipyretic is to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we have to emphasize that it is a word that derives from Greek. Exactly it is the result of the sum of the following clearly defined elements:
-The prefix “anti-”, which can be translated as “against”.
-The Greek term “pyretikos”, which is used as a synonym for “related to fever”. That comes, in turn, from the noun “pyretós”, which is “fever”.
-The suffix “-ikos”, which is used to indicate “relative to”.
What is an antipyretic
An antipyretic is a medicine that helps fight fever . This class of substance is also called antifebrile or antipyretic .
It is worth mentioning that the phenomenon that causes an increase in body temperature and an increase in respiratory rate and pulse is called fever. Antipyretics are febrifuge drugs: they are effective in reducing fever and returning body temperature to normal values.
There are many over-the-counter antipyretics.
Symptom relief
Antipyretics generally act against the symptoms of fever, but not the cause. In other words: an antipyretic can contribute to a drop in temperature without resolving the origin of the fever. Therefore, if the disease persists, the temperature will rise again.
Many antipyretics, in addition to being febrifuge, are anti-inflammatory (reduce inflammation) and analgesic (eliminate pain). These characteristics make them drugs that relieve the general discomfort experienced by a person with fever and other disorders.
Examples of antipyretics
There are two drugs that are widely known as antipyretics and also as analgesics:
-Acetylsalicylic acid, popularly known as aspirin. It is characterized because it also has notable anti-inflammatory effectiveness. To be able to use it in children, the pediatrician must be consulted in advance and adults can take between half a gram or one gram every four to six hours.
-Paracetamol. This drug is not anti-inflammatory like the previous one and it must be emphasized that it is recommended not to take it for more than ten days in a row. From all of the above we can point out that for children it comes in various formats such as drops and even as a syrup.
You should know that these two medications can be purchased in Spain without any type of medical prescription. However, as with all drugs, it is recommended not to take it without first consulting your doctor.
Ibuprofen is also among the most used antipyretics. They are over-the-counter medications, although it is advisable to consult a doctor and not self-medicate.
The wet cloths
It should be noted that, beyond drugs, there are physical mechanisms or processes that can be called antipyretics since they help lower body temperature.
Placing a wet cloth on the forehead of an individual who has a fever, for example, is an antipyretic action. Unlike medications, the effect is usually immediate but short-range.