I'm a biochemist and I find the distinction arbitrary. Paracetamol/acetaminophen is anti-inflammatory, and it is non-steroidal. That to me is enough to warrant

I'm a biochemist and I find the distinction arbitrary. Paracetamol/acetaminophen is anti-inflammatory, and it is non-steroidal. That to me is enough to warrant inclusion in the category "NSAID". It doesn't mean it has the same mechanism of action, the same COX selectivity, the same side effect profile, etc, as all other drugs within the class.