Acetaminophen can be used to treat pain associated with many conditions. Because acetaminophen has few anti-inflammatory properties, it is not the best drug for treating inflammatory disorders caused by infections and many types of injuries. In such situations, ibuprofen may be a better alternative. Acetaminophen, however, is effective in treating disorders such as osteoarthritis that usually involve little inflammation.
Acetaminophen can also be used to treat conditions such as:

• Back pain, including herniated discs, degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis
  
  
• Joint pain, such as tennis elbow
  
  
• Whiplash and other types of trauma pain
  
  
• Headaches, including some tension headaches and migraines
  
  
• Shingles
  
  
• Fever
  
  
• Sore throat
  
  
• Fibromyalgia
  
  
• Orofacial pain and dental pain
  
  
• Cancer pain
  

One recent study suggested that acetaminophen may improve social interaction in elderly people with dementia. However, further research would be needed to confirm this finding.