Acetaminophen is primarily used for which type of relief?

Acetaminophen is primarily used for pain relief due to its analgesic properties. It is effective in treating mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, toothaches, menstrual cramps, and muscle aches. Its mechanism involves inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins in the brain, which are chemicals that mediate pain and fever. This makes acetaminophen particularly useful for individuals seeking relief from discomfort without the anti-inflammatory effects that other medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), would provide. Therefore, acetaminophen's primary function in therapeutic settings is to alleviate pain rather than to serve as an anti-inflammatory agent, an anticoagulant, or a muscle relaxant.