antipyretic /-pīret″ik/ [Gk, anti + pyretos, fever] , 1. pertaining to a substance or procedure that reduces fever. −antipyresis, n. 2. an antipyretic agent. Such drugs usually lower the thermodetection set point of the hypothalamic heat regulatory center, with resulting vasodilation and diaphoresis. Widely used antipyretic agents are acetaminophen, aspirin, and NSAIDs. Also called antifebrile, antithermic.
