Antipyretics /ænti.paɪˈrɛ.tɪks/; an-tee-pahy-ret-iks; from the Greek anti, against, and pyreticus, (pertaining to fever) are drugs or herbs that reduce fever. Normally, they will not lower body temperature in case one has a high fever. Antipyretics cause the hypothalamus to override an interleukin-induced increase in temperature. The body then works to lower the temperature, resulting in a reduction in fever.

Most antipyretic medications have other purposes. The most common antipyretics in the United States are ibuprofen and aspirin, which are used primarily as pain relievers. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and pain relievers. There is some debate over the appropriate use of such medications, as fever is part of the body's immune response to infection.

The effectiveness of acetaminophen (paracetamol) alone as an antipyretic in children is uncertain, with some evidence showing it is no better than physical methods. Therapies involving the combination of acetaminophen and aspirin, or alternating doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen have shown somewhat greater antipyretic effect than acetaminophen alone. One meta-analysis indicated that ibuprofen is more effective than acetaminophen in children at similar doses when both are given alone.