Is Codeine Tylenol Considered Aspirin?
Codeine Tylenol (or Tylenol with codeine) is a blend of acetaminophen (an over-the-counter pain reliever) and codeine phosphate (a narcotic). Meanwhile, aspirin belongs to the family of salicylates. Ultimately, they are two completely different medications: Tylenol with codeine is a prescription medication and aspirin is an over-the-counter medicine.
-
Indications
-
Tylenol with codeine is used to alleviate pain that is mild to moderately severe, while aspirin is indicated for alleviating pain that is mild to moderate and can also reduce inflammation and fever.
Common Side Effects
-
Common side effects of Codeine Tylenol include dizziness, sleepiness, nausea/vomiting, drowsiness, shortness of breath and lightheadedness. Common side effects associated with aspirin include headache, heartburn, abdominal discomfort and upset stomach.
-
Serious Side Effects
-
Serious side effects of Tylenol with codeine include allergic reaction, slowed heartbeat, seizures, jaundice, confusion, shallow breathing and easy bleeding or bruising. Serious side effects of aspirin include allergic reaction, black or bloody bowel movements, coughing up blood, severe nausea and hearing problems.
Tylenol with Codeine Contraindications
-
Tylenol with codeine is a controlled substance that can result in dependence similar to that of morphine. Tell your doctor if you have a history of drug abuse, drink more than three alcoholic drinks per day or have liver disease.
Aspirin Contraindications
-
Do not give aspirin to a teenager or child with a fever, as the medication can cause Reye's syndrome in children, which can be fatal. Tell your doctor if you have any history of internal bleeding, bleeding disorders, an allergy to another pain reliever such as naproxen or ibuprofen ,or if you have any other medical conditions.
-
References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Migraine Chick
