Aspirin is not safer. Aspirin is not "good for you" apart from narrow groups of people taking very small doses of aspirin.

Aspirin can be harmful to the stomach lining; aspirin can be fatal to people under 12; aspirin has a number of risky side effects; aspirin can be very dangerous for some people with under-lying conditions.

Thats fear mongering. Aspirin one of the safest drugs known to man, has a much longer history than Tylenol, and some scientists promote a more aggressive use of it in the populace.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/12/opinion/the-2000-year-old-...

> Aspirin one of the safest drugs known to man, has a much longer history than Tylenol

I think cocaine and opium has a longer history too.

Aspirin (and ibuprofen) is counter-indicated for people with stomach problems like GERD. That's not fear mongering.

Of course not, but it's a big difference to say counter-indicated for one issue vs, leading off a post with "It is not safer".

The point of this story is whether Tylenol IS safer, and that's mostly contingent on the person (and studies showing its own inherent risks).

Paracetamol is safer. You've failed to provide any sources saying otherwise.

Yes, I did, if you look above, which references several studies. You on the other hand have cited none.

Unfortunately, you can't just claim that Aspirin (ASS) is safer than Tylenol (Paracetamol).

Among the NSAIDs, aspirin is the strongest anti-coagulant, and the anti-coagulation effect can last for weeks. While small doses of ASS are beneficial for people who are at risk for thrombosis, they significantly raise the risk of eg. brain haemorrage.

You could of course take something like ibuprofen, which affects coagulation less. But all NSAIDs attack your stomach, so after some time you'll have to start taking something like pantoprazol to "protect" your stomach...

AFAIK, paracetamol doesn't affect blood clotting and it doesn't attack your stomach. It's dangerous if you take doses of more than 3 gram per day, and you really shouldn't take it if your liver is failing. Alcohol can also cause severe side effects when taking paracetamol.

There is no "perfect drug". If there was a drug that would only have positive effects on our body, evolution would have made our bodies produce that substance on their own.

Mainly for three reasons - you may not want an anti-coagulant - you have a sensitive stomach - Tylenol may be safer for breaking a fever due to liver interaction

So, you are saying i should switch my kids to aspirin? What's the worst that can happen?