Fever and Body Pain is a common complaint by most of the humans. Especially when there is a change in the weather. At times the reason for fever can be the pain anywhere in the body. This makes the physician prescribe pain killers too.
Taking painkillers give instant relief to the sickness too. There are many drugs available in the market for these ailments. Many pain killers offer the same result as expected. What is to be looked at is the drugs’ functionality in the body and possible side effects if any.
In the medical world, there are two types of pain killers which are readily available over the counter. One is the Aspirin and the other is the Tylenol.
Doctors across the world prescribe these medicines after a thorough examination. Both of these drugs offer the same relief, but the main difference between Aspirin and Tylenol is the drug classes they belong to. Aspirin is a Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drug (NSAID) while Tylenol is an antipyretic and analgesic.
Aspirin vs Tylenol
The main difference between Aspirin and Tylenol is that Aspirin is a type of non-steroidal drug which is taken to prevent the formation of blood clots, treating inflammation and mild fever or pain and reducing the risks of heart strokes. Tylenol is used as an analgesic as well as an antipyretic for treating mild and moderate migraine pain, arthritis and menstrual cramps, and for treating fever, respectively.
Comparison Table Between Aspirin and Tylenol (in Tabular Form)
| Parameter of Comparison | Aspirin | Tylenol |
|---|---|---|
| Classification of the Drug | Aspirin falls under the drug category called Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug. | Tylenol is an antipyretic and analgesic drug |
| Prescribed for | Aspirin is strongly recommended for headaches, migraine, Fever, Rheumatoid arthritis. At times aspirin helps prevent heart attacks as well as strokes. | Tylenol is prescribed by the doctors for Body Pain, common fever and migraine |
| Medicine’s generic name | Aspirin itself is the generic name of the medicine. | Acetaminophen is the generic name of Tylenol. |
| Impact area | Aspirin breaks down in the Kidney. It is observed that continuous usage of Aspirin can cause kidney damage. | Tylenol breaks down in the Liver. Liver damage is prone to people who consume Tylenol over some time. |
| Safety Factor | Aspirin has its side effects however is safer than Tylenol as people unintentionally have the habit of consuming it in overdoses. | Tylenol leads to severe side effects than aspirin because of people’s mentality of consuming the drug. |
What is Aspirin?
Aspirin is otherwise called as acetylsalicylic acid is a medicine prescribed by the doctors to cure mild fever, body pain, and inflammation. Aspirin is a prominent medicine that is widely used by people in the world.
Aspirin belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug category. It is observed that aspirin given after a heart attack intensely reduces the risk of death.
Scientists have found that prolonged use of Aspirin in low dosages can reduce the occurrence of heart attacks. It also can decrease the risk of a few cancer cells forming in the body.
Aspirin shows the effect within 30 minutes of consuming it. Aspirin is strongly recommended by doctors for fever, migraine, rheumatoid arthritis.
Aspirin was the very first Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug discovered. Aspirin is non-narcotic too.
The drug is not usually prescribed to kids below 16 years of age. This is pure because it may increase the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
The doctors do not prescribe aspirin if the patient has a history of certain disorders. Like the peptic ulcer, any bleeding disorder or if the patient is undergoing any dental treatment, aspirin is never prescribed. It must also be understood that aspirin is never given for all strokes.
As few strokes are not caused due to blood clots, sometimes it may worsen the condition as well.
What is Tylenol?
Tylenol is acetaminophen is a medicine prescribed by the doctors for mild fever and body pain. Acetaminophen is also known as Paracetamol.
Tylenol is strongly recommended by doctors for headaches, migraine, muscle pains, toothaches, and fever. Tylenol belongs to the antipyretic and analgesic drug category.
Tylenol is also prescribed for kids below 12 years, however, care must be taken in consuming it. It is advised to strictly follow the doctor’s prescription for the dosage levels.
The side effects of Tylenol are not common, however, prolonged usage of it for every other body pain and fever may give trouble later. It has to be remembered that if a doctor has suggested Tylenol, that means that the relief is worthy than the side effects, this does not mean that it has to be taken whenever there is a fever.
It is dangerous for a pregnant woman to have Tylenol. It has the dire effects of reaching breast milk also, which in turn may reach the baby while feeding.
Tylenol is processed in the liver. Prolonged usage of it may cause liver damage. Tylenol is not anti-inflammatory. It means to say that, the drug helps to relieve the pain, but does not get rid of the swelling from the body.
Main Differences Between Aspirin and Tylenol
- Both these medicines are prescribed by doctors for mostly similar diseases. However, they differ in their drug classes. The main difference between Aspirin and Tylenol is, Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug whereas Tylenol is antipyretic and analgesic.
- It is clinically observed that aspirin takes roughly 30 minutes to show its effect in the body, it is a quick reliever whereas Tylenol takes much more time, say 45 minutes and above to show its reaction in the body.
- Aspirin breaks down in the kidney while Tylenol breaks down in the liver.
- Aspirin is widely prescribed for preventing heart attacks and strokes while Tylenol is strongly recommended for major pain relief in the case of toothache, body ache, headache.
- Both having their side effects, it is scientifically proven that prolonged usage of aspirin may be safer than Tylenol If the same amount of duration the drug is consumed.
Conclusion
Ingesting medicines for the common cold, fever, and body is pretty common among the families. It is to be understood that, any drug has its side effects which may be of concern at a later point in time of life. Protecting the self from sicknesses shows maturity.
At the same time, consuming medicines to the dosage prescribed is also maturity. The doctors always prescribe suitable medicines for the patient’s well-being and that must not be taken for granted to have it whenever there is a sickness.
Both the medicines having their benefits and to suggest it to a child or a pregnant woman must be avoided.
References
- https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/2257796
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ijc.11311