What type of medication is used to reduce fever?

Antipyretics are medications specifically designed to reduce fever. They work by acting on the hypothalamus, the area of the brain responsible for regulating body temperature. When the body is fighting an infection or illness, pyrogens (substances that cause fever) can trigger an increase in body temperature. Antipyretics help to counteract this response, providing relief from discomfort associated with fever.

Common examples of antipyretics include acetaminophen and ibuprofen, both of which are widely used to lower elevated body temperatures and alleviate associated symptoms like headaches or body aches. By understanding their mechanism of action, you can appreciate why antipyretics are an essential component of treatment in various clinical scenarios, especially when managing patients with infections.

While antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, they do not directly reduce fever and are not effective against viral infections. Analgesics relieve pain but do not necessarily have an effect on body temperature. Antiseptics are used to prevent infection in wounds and do not play a role in managing fever either.