Secrets of paracetamol unlocked

[dipsydoodle]

Scientists have uncovered the secret behind how the common painkiller paracetamol works, potentially paving the way for pain medication with less harmful side effects to be developed.

A team from King's College London (KCL) have found that the drug, discovered in the 1890s and used widely since the 1950s, interacts with a protein found in nerve cells that was previously thought to trigger reactions to irritants like onions, mustard and even tear gas.

Despite being found in almost every medicine cupboard in the country and used commonly to treat the common cold and flu, the secret of how paracetamol works had eluded scientists until now.

They hope it will lead to the development of new drugs that have less of a risk of complications such as overdosing.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/feedarticle/9960535

[bemildred]

1. Acetominophen, Tylenol, APAP, etc. nt

[DesertFlower]

2. interesting. nt

[xchrom]

3. Recommend