In 1893, paracetamol was clinically evaluated by Dr. Josef von Mering, a student of Oswald Schmiedeberg. Dr. von Mering discovered that the drug produced methemoglobinemia, a condition where hemoglobin is converted to methemoglobin, which cannot carry oxygen effectively. However, he mistakenly attributed this adverse effect directly to paracetamol, leading to the compound being ignored for its potential medicinal benefits.
Nearly a century later, paracetamol was reinvestigated in the United States at Yale University by David Lester and C. A. Greenberg. Their research demonstrated that paracetamol was the major metabolite of acetanilide and phenacetin and was relatively safe as an analgesic and antipyretic. This reinvestigation sparked renewed interest in the compound's potential.
Simultaneously, researchers Flinn and Brodie found that even at high oral doses, paracetamol did not result in the formation of methemoglobin. This finding further supported the safety profile of paracetamol, paving the way for its acceptance as a therapeutic agent.
In 1950, the first paracetamol product, a combination of paracetamol, aspirin, and caffeine, was introduced to the United States market under the name Triagesic. This combination product marked the beginning of paracetamol's widespread use as a pain reliever and fever reducer.
Today, paracetamol is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter medications for pain relief and fever reduction, recognized for its efficacy and safety when used as directed. Its journey from an overlooked compound to a household staple highlights the importance of revisiting and reevaluating scientific findings with fresh perspectives and advanced research methods.
Paracetamol: From Discovery to Widespread Use
