The analgesic and antipyretic actions of paracetamol are attributed chiefly to inhibition of cyclooxygenase in which location?
- A Platelets
- B Gastric mucosa
- C Central nervous system ✓
- D Renal medulla
Correct answer: C. Central nervous system
Explanation
Paracetamol acts predominantly within the central nervous system, where its COX inhibition (possibly of a peroxidase-inactivated COX variant active at low peroxide tone) produces analgesia and antipyresis. Peripheral tissues have high peroxide concentrations that inactivate paracetamol, so it has negligible anti-inflammatory action. It does not irreversibly acetylate platelet COX-1 like aspirin and has minimal effect on gastric mucosal or renal prostaglandins at therapeutic doses, explaining its relative gastric and renal safety.
Reference: Katzung's Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 15th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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