Antipyretics - Practice Questions & MCQ

Chemical substances which are used to bring down the body temperature in high fevers are called antipyretics. This causes the body to lose heat and the person gets a lot of perspiration. Some common antipyretics are aspirin, phenacetin, paracetamol, analgin, methacetin, etc.
Aspirin is a common analgesic(painkiller), with antipyretic(temperature lowering) properties. Aspirin now finds use in the prevention of heart attacks as it has antiblood clotting action and acts as vasodilator.

Aspirin is absorbed from gastrointestinal tract. The stomach acid causes a partial hydrolysis of the ester. The ester circulates in the blood and further hydrolysis occurs into salicylic acid which is the active component. It causes several side effects. It may cause minute ulcers in the stomach and cause bleeding.
Because of these shortcomings in aspirin, the other analgesics like ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac sodium or potassium find use as alternatives.