The central action of paracetamol is best described as...

• A. COX3 inhibition
• B. Prostaglandin synthesis inhibition
• C. Blockade of leukotriene production
• D. Inhibition of protein synthesis

Answer: (D)

Paracetamol works mainly by lowering prostaglandin synthesis in the brain. It blocks cyclooxygenase activity in the central nervous system, which reduces production of prostaglandin E2 that would normally amplify pain signals and raise the fever set point. Because its peripheral action on COX is weaker, it provides strong analgesic and antipyretic effects with little anti-inflammatory activity. It does not block the lipoxygenase pathway (leukotriene production), nor does it inhibit general protein synthesis. The idea of a distinct COX3 target isn’t the established mechanism; the clinically relevant description is prostaglandin synthesis inhibition.