Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAcetaminophen UsesAspirin UsesWhen to TakeCommon DrugsSafetyInteractionsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Acetaminophen Uses
Aspirin Uses
When to Take
Common Drugs
Safety
Interactions
Frequently Asked Questions
Aspirinand Tylenol (acetaminophen) are both pain and fever relievers. However, they differ in their drug class and the way they work.
This article will clarify the differences between aspirin and acetaminophen.
Female taking tablet with glass of fresh water.PixelsEffect / Getty Images
PixelsEffect / Getty Images
What’s Acetaminophen Used For?
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is an over-the-counter (OTC) drug (medication not requiring a prescription) to ease pain and lower fever. It also relieves minor aches and pains due to the following:
Can Children Take Acetaminophen?
Yes, Tylenol (acetaminophen) can treat pain and reduce fever in children. However, a child’s weight and age determine the proper dosage.
How Does Acetaminophen Work?
Tylenol’s (acetaminophen’s) mechanism of action (how it works) is not entirely known.
However, it is believed to block prostaglandin production, a chemical in the brain that causes fever, pain, and inflammation.
Is Acetaminophen an Anti-inflammatory?
No.
Tylenol (acetaminophen) effectively helps reduce pain and fever.
However, acetaminophen isnotan anti-inflammatory medication likenonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as the following:
Is Acetaminophen an NSAID?
No. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is not considered an NSAID.
Although acetaminophen and NSAIDs like aspirin are frequently used to relieve pain and lowerfever, they belong to different drug classes and work differently.
Does Acetaminophen Reduce Swelling?
No. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is mainly used to reduce pain and fever but not swelling.
Your healthcare provider may recommend NSAIDs like ibuprofen ornaproxento treat swelling.
Does Acetaminophen Thin Your Blood?
No. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is not ananticoagulant(blood thinner).Hence, it does not haveblood-thinningproperties.
Is Acetaminophen Good for Headaches?
Yes. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is a frequently recommended and used OTC medicine for mild to moderate headaches, includingtension headaches.
Does Acetaminophen Reduce Fevers?
Yes. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is commonly used to reduce fever in infants and adults.
What’s Aspirin Used For?
Aspirin, also known asacetylsalicylic acid, is used for several purposes, including the following:
Aspirin use is linked with a higher risk ofReye’s syndrome, a rare but life-threatening condition in viral infections. Due to this increased risk of Reye’s syndrome, do not give aspirin to children or young adults having symptoms of or who have been diagnosed with viral infections, like chicken pox or the flu.
How Does Aspirin Work?
Is Aspirin an Anti-inflammatory?
Yes. Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory medication used to reduce swelling or inflammation.
Is Aspirin An NSAID?
Yes. Aspirin is an NSAID commonly used to decrease inflammation, relieve pain, and lower fever.
Does Aspirin Reduce Swelling?
Yes. Aspirin is known for its anti-inflammatory activities. It can help reduce swelling, mainly when the swelling is due to inflammation.
Does Aspirin Thin Your Blood?
Yes. Aspirin has blood-thinning properties, preventing platelets from clumping together and forming blood clots.
Is Aspirin Good for Headaches?
Yes. Aspirin is ananalgesic(pain-relieving) drug used to relieve different types of pain, including headaches.
Does Aspirin Reduce Fevers?
Yes. Aspirin hasantipyretic(fever-lowering) properties.Hence, it can be used to reduce and control fevers.
How Long Does Aspirin Stay In Your System?
When to Take Aspirin or Acetaminophen
When choosing between aspirin and Tylenol (acetaminophen), your healthcare provider will advise you on which medication to take based on factors such as your:
When to take aspirin:
When to take Tylenol (acetaminophen):
Can You Take Aspirin and Acetaminophen Together?
However, get professional advice from your medical provider before taking these two medicines at the same time.
Although combining both medicines can help improve fever and pain control, it may also increase the risk of side effects.
Do Other Common Medications Contain Aspirin and Acetaminophen?
Many OTC and prescription drugs contain aspirin or Tylenol (acetaminophen). Hence, taking them with either aspirin or acetaminophen may have additive effects, increasing the potency of the drugs and causing more side effects.
Please tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all the medicines you take.
Some common medicines that contain aspirin include:
Some common medicines that contain acetaminophen include:
Is Aspirin or Acetaminophen Safer?
Aspirin and Tylenol (acetaminophen) are generally safe when used as directed.
However, each medication has side effects.
The safety of each can depend on various factors like the following:
Side Effects & Precautions
Aspirin and Tylenol (acetaminophen) are considered safe and effective. However, each medication has its side effects and precautions for certain populations.
The most common side effect of aspirin is stomach discomfort. Other side effects common to both drugs arenausea, indigestion, and rash.
Rash, swelling, and difficulty breathing are all signs of severe side effects with Tylenol (acetaminophen). Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe side effects from your medications.
Try taking NSAIDs like aspirin with food or milk to reduce gastrointestinal (stomach) side effects.
Interactions for Aspirin and Acetaminophen
Various OTC and prescription drugs contain aspirin and Tylenol (acetaminophen), which can interact with many other medications.
Please consult your healthcare provider before taking any new prescriptions, OTC medications, or supplements.
Interactions for Aspirin and AcetaminophenDrug interactionAspirinAcetaminophenAlcoholYes, increased risk of bleedingYes, this may lead to increased liver toxicityAnticoagulants (blood thinners)Yes, increased risk of bleedingYes, especially long-term use of oral acetaminophen 4,000 mg/day increases the international normalized ratio (INR) in people on the drug warfarinNSAIDSYes, increased risk of bleed and stomach sensitivityNoCorticosteroidsYes, increased risk of stomach discomfortNoIsoniazidNoPossible increase in liver damageSummaryWhile Tylenol (acetaminophen) and aspirin are great at relieving pain or lowering fever, they may not be suitable for everyone.Your choice of medicine will depend on factors like your medical history, allergies, and more.Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new medicine.Frequently Asked QuestionsYou can consider taking aspirin if you’re experiencing inflammation and need relief. However, if you’re allergic to NSAIDs or if aspirin causes stomach discomfort, then acetaminophen may be a better option. Although Tylenol (acetaminophen) doesn’t help with inflammation, it is not harsh on your stomach and can be a safer choice in such cases.Do not take aspirin or Tylenol (acetaminophen) without speaking to your healthcare provider if you are on blood thinners. Also, avoid these drugs if you are alcohol dependent, as this may increase the risk of liver damage and stomach bleeding.A rare but potentially fatal health condition, Reye’s syndrome, has happened in children and young adults on aspirin. Therefore, children should avoid aspirin due to the increased risk of this condition. Speak to your child’s pediatrician if you need help selecting the most appropriate medication.
Summary
While Tylenol (acetaminophen) and aspirin are great at relieving pain or lowering fever, they may not be suitable for everyone.
Your choice of medicine will depend on factors like your medical history, allergies, and more.
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new medicine.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYou can consider taking aspirin if you’re experiencing inflammation and need relief. However, if you’re allergic to NSAIDs or if aspirin causes stomach discomfort, then acetaminophen may be a better option. Although Tylenol (acetaminophen) doesn’t help with inflammation, it is not harsh on your stomach and can be a safer choice in such cases.Do not take aspirin or Tylenol (acetaminophen) without speaking to your healthcare provider if you are on blood thinners. Also, avoid these drugs if you are alcohol dependent, as this may increase the risk of liver damage and stomach bleeding.A rare but potentially fatal health condition, Reye’s syndrome, has happened in children and young adults on aspirin. Therefore, children should avoid aspirin due to the increased risk of this condition. Speak to your child’s pediatrician if you need help selecting the most appropriate medication.
You can consider taking aspirin if you’re experiencing inflammation and need relief. However, if you’re allergic to NSAIDs or if aspirin causes stomach discomfort, then acetaminophen may be a better option. Although Tylenol (acetaminophen) doesn’t help with inflammation, it is not harsh on your stomach and can be a safer choice in such cases.
Do not take aspirin or Tylenol (acetaminophen) without speaking to your healthcare provider if you are on blood thinners. Also, avoid these drugs if you are alcohol dependent, as this may increase the risk of liver damage and stomach bleeding.
A rare but potentially fatal health condition, Reye’s syndrome, has happened in children and young adults on aspirin. Therefore, children should avoid aspirin due to the increased risk of this condition. Speak to your child’s pediatrician if you need help selecting the most appropriate medication.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Acetaminophen label.Ayoub SS.Paracetamol (acetaminophen): A familiar drug with an unexplained mechanism of action.Temperature (Austin). 2021;8(4):351-371.Aspirin. In:LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury.Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; July 27, 2017.Soodi D, VanWormer JJ, Rezkalla SH.Aspirin in Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events.Clin Med Res. 2020;18(2-3):89-94.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Aspirin.Soodi D, VanWormer JJ, Rezkalla SH.Aspirin in Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events.Clin Med Res. 2020;18(2-3):89-94.Wang Y, Guo X, Obore N, Ding H, Wu C, Yu H.Aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022;9:936560.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.Aspirin. In:LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury.Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; July 27, 2017.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Acetaminophen label.Ayoub SS.Paracetamol (acetaminophen): A familiar drug with an unexplained mechanism of action.Temperature (Austin). 2021;8(4):351-371.Aspirin. In:LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury.Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; July 27, 2017.Soodi D, VanWormer JJ, Rezkalla SH.Aspirin in Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events.Clin Med Res. 2020;18(2-3):89-94.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Aspirin.Soodi D, VanWormer JJ, Rezkalla SH.Aspirin in Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events.Clin Med Res. 2020;18(2-3):89-94.Wang Y, Guo X, Obore N, Ding H, Wu C, Yu H.Aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022;9:936560.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.Aspirin. In:LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury.Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; July 27, 2017.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.Acetaminophen label.Ayoub SS.Paracetamol (acetaminophen): A familiar drug with an unexplained mechanism of action.Temperature (Austin). 2021;8(4):351-371.Aspirin. In:LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury.Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; July 27, 2017.Soodi D, VanWormer JJ, Rezkalla SH.Aspirin in Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events.Clin Med Res. 2020;18(2-3):89-94.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Aspirin.Soodi D, VanWormer JJ, Rezkalla SH.Aspirin in Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events.Clin Med Res. 2020;18(2-3):89-94.Wang Y, Guo X, Obore N, Ding H, Wu C, Yu H.Aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022;9:936560.National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.Aspirin. In:LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury.Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; July 27, 2017.
Food and Drug Administration.Acetaminophen label.
Ayoub SS.Paracetamol (acetaminophen): A familiar drug with an unexplained mechanism of action.Temperature (Austin). 2021;8(4):351-371.
Aspirin. In:LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury.Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; July 27, 2017.
Soodi D, VanWormer JJ, Rezkalla SH.Aspirin in Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events.Clin Med Res. 2020;18(2-3):89-94.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Aspirin.
Wang Y, Guo X, Obore N, Ding H, Wu C, Yu H.Aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022;9:936560.
National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Acetaminophen.
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