title: Acetylsalicylic acid or paracetamol?
abstract: Paracetamol, a widely used non-narcotic analgesic, has the same analgesic, and antipyretic efficacy as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). In contrast to ASA, paracetamol has traditionally been claimed to have little or no anti-inflammatory effect. There is, however, increasing support for the view that paracetamol has anti-inflammatory activity and reduces pain and swelling in inflammatory conditions other than rheumatoid arthritis. Overall, paracetamol seems to be equally effective as ASA. Since ASA has a greater potential for adverse effects, paracetamol is increasingly preferred to ASA, particularly in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kabete.
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Mburu
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Maitho
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lökken
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000082:Acetaminophen; D001241:Aspirin