Which mechanism is associated with antipyretic agents?

• A. Stimulates heat production in hypothalamus
• B. Blocks histamine release
• C. Inhibits Prostaglandins
• D. Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis

Answer: (C)

Antipyretics reduce fever by dampening the prostaglandin signal in the brain. Prostaglandins, especially PGE2, raise the hypothalamic temperature set point during fever. When these drugs inhibit prostaglandin production, the hypothalamus shifts back toward normal, and body temperature falls. This is why the mechanism described is inhibiting prostaglandins. Blocking histamine release relates to allergic or inflammatory symptoms, and stimulating heat production would raise, not lower, fever. A more precise way to describe the same effect is inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis, which achieves the same outcome in practice.