Antipyretic:Something that reduces fever or quells it.
There are 3 classes ofantipyreticmedications that are soldOTC(over-the-counter) without prescription:
- Salicylates -- aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid),cholinesalicylate (Arthropan), magnesium salicylate (Arthriten), and sodium salicylate (Scot-Tussin Original);
- Acetaminophen(Tylenol); and
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), and ketoprofen.
From anti-, against + the Greek pyretos, fever from pyr, fire. The same root gives rise to pyrexia, a medical term for fever.
