Question

Antipyretics are medicinal compounds which-
A. Lowers body temperature
B. Relieves pain
C. Controls Malaria
D. Can kill other organisms

Answer 1

The word ‘pyretic’ means inducing or having fever. The general meaning of the word ‘anti’ is opposite of something or opposed to something. By this, looking at the meaning of the above word it means opposing fever or feverish conditions.

Step by step answer: Mammals are homeotherms or in other words warm-blooded organisms. This enables all mammals to maintain constant body temperature. A part of the brain called the hypothalamus controls the constant body temperature. An abnormal rise in body temperature is normally called a fever. Fever is usually generated as a response to some abnormal conditions faced by our body like infection, allergy, or any type of illness. In case of infection caused due to some disease-causing microorganism which has invaded the body, the temperature of the body is elevated deliberately to kill these organisms and prevent further infections and harms they may cause. Increasing body temperature also activates our immune system and prepares it for fighting against invading organisms. There are some chemicals that are secreted by hypothalamus as a response to certain illnesses or infections which are known as prostaglandins. The rise in temperature of the body is due to the secretion of these lipid molecules. Even though fever enhances the immune response and protection against infectious agents, it is often associated with many other discomforting events like shivering, headache, loss of appetite, loss of sleep, etc.
Therefore, antipyretic medicines are prescribed to get rid of feverish conditions, and all the above mentioned discomforting events. Once ingested, these antipyretic medicines inhibit the enzyme which is responsible for prostaglandin production, and as a result, the level of prostaglandin falls. And as the levels of prostaglandin fall, the elevated body temperature also settles down.
Thus, the correct answer is option A. Lowers body temperature.
Additional information: Some commonly used antipyretic medicines are Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen and Acetaminophen. These drugs are available in various forms like tablets, capsules, gel capsule liquid, suspension, rapid-release gel capsules, and chewable tablets. Once ingested these drugs start their effect after about 30 to 60 minutes.

Note: Along with reducing the increased body temperature, antipyretic medicines have several other uses. They are often used for getting rid of pain and thus also work as analgesics. But the primary function of an antipyretic medicine is always to reduce elevated body temperature.