Given that GI irritation is not a concern, ASA or acetaminophen better at reducing inflammation?

Question

aspirin or tylenol?

Answer 1

Paracetamol, known as acetaminophen in the United States, is a painkiller that is popular throughout the world because it is remarkably safe and it does not irritate the stomach.

Paracetamol works as a weak prostaglandin inhibitor. It achieves this by blocking the production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals involved in the transmission of the pain message to the brain. In this regard, paracetamol is different from Aspirin and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) in that it blocks the pain message at the brain and not at the source of the pain, as the others do.

Structually, paracetamol is similar to aspirin. They are both recognised by the same enzyme, which is called cyclo-oxygenase (COX). Cyclo-oxygenase serves as a pain activator, amplifying the degree of pain experienced in order to let the body know that there is a problem. It is this enzyme that is responsible for the biosynthesis of prostoglandins. By reducing the amount of prostaglandin available for synthesis, paracetamol helps relieve headache pain by reducing the dilation of the blood vessels that cause the pain. Paracetamol, however, only inhibits prostaglandin biosynthesis in the central nervous system (CNS) with little or no effect on peripheral tissues.

Therefore Aspirin is a better anti-inflammatory drug

Answer 2

Paracetamol is acetominophen. And acetominophen is not an anti-inflammatory. It is an analgesic, but doesn't work by the same mechanism as NSAIDs. It too, has side effects, but not GI irritation. If taken in large quantities (>3g/day) it can cause liver damage.

Answer 3

acetaminophen is not an anti-inflammatory. I prefer naprosyn (naproxen sodium) if you can take aspirin.

Answer 4

aspirin, if gi irritation was a problem then you will need to use the less potent tylenol because Salycilic acid is stronger.