Most people probably know how terrible alcohol is for your health. Fewer people know how dangerous taking painkillers can be. According to the Mayo Clinic, taking more than one aspirin a day can cause internal bleeding and heart disease. Although it’s not exactly the same as having an alcoholic drink, it’s still quite similar. Similarly, taking tylenol with or without food can cause liver damage and stomach bleeding. That’s why many doctors recommend against taking aspirin or tylenol without a meal.
But what about using painkillers to alleviate pain from an injury? According to Emily Easson, MD, of the Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA, “There is not a lot of harm in taking pain medication when it is prescribed for you.” But, she advises against taking more than the recommended dosage or combining medications containing opiates (such as morphine or oxycodone) with any other medication, including aspirin or tylenol. Why is she so against people taking pain medication when they need it? “These drugs alter your perception of pain, making you less aware of how much you are actually hurting,” Dr. Easson explains. “When you are in pain, you need to be careful about what you are taking because you can end up seriously injured.”
Tylenol is one of the most popular over-the-counter pain medications, especially in the United States. It is also the best-selling single product on Amazon.com. One of the reasons why it’s so popular is because it is often advertised in combination with aspirin. However, according to the American Society for Pain Management, taking Tylenol with or without aspirin increases the risk of serious side effects. They noted that although rare, these side effects include:
- Digestive tract bleeding, especially when combined with aspirin
- Heart attack
- Liver damage
- Stomach pain
- Lung damage
- Bladder damage (this especially applies to people who undergo surgery)
The potential side effects of combining Tylenol and aspirin are so serious that many doctors don’t recommend it. That’s probably why the number of prescriptions for combination Tylenol and aspirin has declined by 22% since 2010.
When Is It Safe To Take Painkillers?
Although there are obvious risks in taking painkillers, such as heart disease, digestive tract bleeding, and liver damage, the absolute contraindication to taking painkillers is when you are already suffering from an injury that is causing you pain. This is why it is generally unsafe to take aspirin or tylenol when you have already been diagnosed with or are already experiencing complications from kidney disease, ulcers, or cirrhosis. If your doctor has told you to limit the amount of aspirin or tylenol you take, you must follow their instructions.
A lot of people, especially those in the United States, believe that NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and tylenol) can be used to treat and prevent cancer. The theory behind this is that inflammatory cells are often associated with tumors, and blocking the production of these cells can prevent or at least delay the growth of cancerous tumors. Although there is some evidence that supports this theory, the American Society for Pain Management has stated that there is no sufficient evidence to recommend aspirin or other NSAIDs for cancer prevention. They also added that there is “weak evidence” that aspirin may increase the risk of stomach cancer.
Tylenol Or Aspirin?
Even though most people think that Tylenol and aspirin are made for each other, they are actually not. Tylenol is officially classified as a “non-acetylated” aspirin, and there are also some types of aspirin that are not acetylated. Although there is some evidence that supports combining these medications to treat and prevent heart disease, the American Society for Pain Management still recommends against using Tylenol or other non-acetylated aspirin in tandem. They also state that there is insufficient evidence to recommend any combination of these medications for the treatment of chronic pain.
So, if you’re on social media, you might have seen a ton of Tylenol vs. Aspirin arguments. But are they really arguing about acetylation or is there more to it than that?
The truth is that Tylenol and aspirin are simply not the same. Tylenol is better known for being less toxic and more affordable, but it can also be harmful if used incorrectly. For instance, taking too much Tylenol can cause liver damage, while taking aspirin every other day can cause stomach irritation, bleeding, and heart disease.
All Or Nothing
One of the reasons why doctors are reluctant to prescribe opiates, such as morphine, to patients who are already taking aspirin or tylenol is because they don’t want to compound the problem by giving the patient morphine as well. If a patient is already taking aspirin or tylenol, it is usually okay to give them a prescription for the same medication, but in larger amounts. Conversely, if the patient is not already taking any pain medication, it is usually not recommended to start them on aspirin or tylenol because it is assumed that the side effects will greatly outweigh the benefits. In this case, it is usually better to try a different solution.
As previously mentioned, combining aspirin with other medications, including opiates, can cause dangerous side effects. However, the same is not necessarily true when taking it in tandem with Tylenol. There is at least one study that showed no significant difference in terms of toxicity between taking aspirin with or without Tylenol. But as always, your doctor will know what is best for you.
Tylenol Or Aspirin? Conclusion
The bottom line is that although there are risks in taking aspirin or tylenol, the benefits usually outweigh the negatives. But, you should still be careful when combining these medications, especially if you’re already experiencing the side effects. If you’re deciding between the two, you should opt for Tylenol, as long as you’re not already suffering from an injury that requires you to take aspirin.