Acetaminophen could help stroke patients

April 14, 2009 A new study in the journal Lancet Neurology finds giving a high dose of acetaminophen to stroke patients with raised body temperatures appears to improve their chance of recovering without serious disability.

High body temperatures immediately after a stroke is known to worsen the prognosis with the odds of a poor outcome doubling for every temperature increase.

Scientists say the results need further confirmation from a larger study, but that acetaminophen could be a simple, safe and cheap treatment for strokes.