Was aspirin really the safest?
By AnjaP
@Rollo1 (16676)
Boston, Massachusetts
September 11, 2007 8:54pm CST
Recently there have been warnings that too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can cause toxic liver damage. Other warnings have been issued for multiple NSAIDs like ibuprophen (Motrin, stating that they can cause sudden heart attack and death. Most of those also cause stomach bleeding and regular use can lead to perforated ulcers.
With all the dangers that they are now finding to be associated with all these replacements for aspirin, and since the major problem with aspirin is its anti-coagulant effect (which is why heart patients are encouraged to take it) is there any good reason for the average healthy person not to just take aspirin? It's been around long enough that all its benefits and dangers are known. These other medicines are just starting to be tagged for side-effects and we don't necessarily know all of them.
2 people like this
3 responses
@wotfpatty (2065)
• United States
12 Sep 07
Aspirin can cause ulcers and other bleeding disorders and, more importantly to me, deafness and ringing in the ears. I am losing my hearing and I am not allowed to touch aspirin or aspirin containing medications because it will cause ringing in the ears and possibly speed up my hearing loss.
Honestly, I don't think there is any safe pain reliever. Now and then, I suppose any of them are OK but I don't take any unless the pain is so bad I truly can't stand it. I would rather just deal with pain with balms, heat, and other non medicinal methods if possible.
I suppose for those who don't have hearing issues and who don't over take aspirin (because of the possibility of increased bleeding and ulcers), aspirin could be a decent choice.
@agnescav (566)
• United States
12 Sep 07
Aspirin has been around since something like 1889. Except for the Reyes syndrome in children, I never saw any reason for changing pain relievers. I might take a pain reliever three times a year, if that.
I buy whatever is since it isn't going to affect me very much.
I don't trust any studies done by the FDA in the past thirty years so I assume NSAIDs probably are not at all safe, especially for regular use.
2 people like this
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
12 Sep 07
Aspirin was a godsend when it first became available. We all took it as kids. As for the Reyes syndrome, I wonder if it isn't to do with anti-biotics and aspirin together. More, I just think it is strange that they suddenly decide you shouldn't give aspirin to sick kids about the same time they started marketing Tylenol. Reminds me of how they decided saccharine caused cancer just as nutra-sweet (aspartame) came out. Later they decided saccharine doesn't cause cancer - after everyone switched. Very convenient.
2 people like this
@agnescav (566)
• United States
12 Sep 07
Well I cheated. I gave my kids aspirin, even though the package said not to. And i still am not sure exactly what Reye's syndrome is, except not good.
That is what i figured. Aspiring sure didn't kill me or anyone else I or my family knew.
2 people like this
@nmhschic2004 (1238)
• United States
12 Sep 07
You may be right. Maybe it is the safest. I guess theres no sure way of knowing really, is there? If it wasnt for mylot i would have never known about tylenol causing liver damage. I have been taking them for a toothache (its the only thing i can take being pregnant) and i had no idea about this. The doctor never said anything to me about this. If i wouldnt have posted that discussion i probably would have never found out about it. We might be better off taking nothing at all. I dont think i want to take those kind of chances just because of a headache anymore!
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
12 Sep 07
Well, they did say high doses, and I don't know exactly how high a dose or for how long it takes to cause damage. Your doctor may not know, doctors are not as well-versed in these areas as are pharmacists, so if you have a question, I would ask your pharmacist.
If you have a toothache, you need to have something for it and I wouldn't advise you not to take the Tylenol, unless you are taking very high doses. Teeth are always a problem in pregnancy, sorry to hear you have one bothering you. I am just prattling off some stuff I read in the news and this isn't medical advice. As much as I ponder whether aspirin might not be the safest because of all the possible problems with the other pain relievers, the bottom line is that I am not a doctor nor a pharmacist so you should go to them for advice. I hope your tooth pain gets better! Thanks for responding and take good care of yourself.
