# Aspirin as a pain killer **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 28, 2018, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-as-a-pain-killer/816886 "2018-06-28T02:20:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-as-a-pain-killer/816886/21 "2018-06-28T16:14:27Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > _Astin_ is wonderful stuff. If you take Astin, you’ll be feeling much better now. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-as-a-pain-killer/816886/22 "2018-06-28T16:30:11Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Sounds like Goody or BC Headache Powders. My mom used to give them to me for migraines and tell me to hold the powder under my tongue. They’re really great. I think they are actually aspirin and caffeine. Between the stimulant and the no-waiting-to-dissolve, they are much faster acting. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-as-a-pain-killer/816886/23 "2018-06-28T16:46:21Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > It’s not by go to for pain, but as an anti inflammatory it’s sure to help relieve it. The analgesic effect is **not** related to the anti-inflammatory effect. One gets analgesia from aspirin with a single dose. One does not get any significant anti-inflammatory effect from aspirin (or other NSAIDs) until one has been on fixed doses of it for at least a few weeks, if not longer. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-as-a-pain-killer/816886/24 "2018-06-28T17:21:45Z")
Sure, it works. But there are reasons other NSAIDs were developed. Aspirin is hard on the stomach, thins blood, and can be counterindicated in a number of cases. I still prefer NSAIDs over acetaminophen due to the fact that I’d rather risk dyspepsia than liver failure. Frankly, it’s a shame the COX-2 inhibitors were pulled. Yes, I know you can still get celecoxib, and yes, I realize the increased risk of cardiovascular events, but it seems like it left a big hole in painkillers between NSAIDs and opiates. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-as-a-pain-killer/816886/25 "2018-06-28T17:36:24Z")
Vioxx is the stuff I miss. Worked like a charm on my back, not addictive, didn’t make me spacey, didn’t bother my stomach - it was too good to last. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-as-a-pain-killer/816886/26 "2018-06-28T18:18:18Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > Frankly, it’s a shame the COX-2 inhibitors were pulled. Yes, I know you can still get celecoxib, and yes, I realize the increased risk of cardiovascular events, but it seems like it left a big hole in painkillers between NSAIDs and opiates. Meh, COX-2 were found to be pretty similar to COX-1; just as much pain relief, just as much risk of GI and other bleeding. Just as much cardiac risk, if not more. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-as-a-pain-killer/816886/27 "2018-06-28T18:32:56Z")
Now that I cannot take ibuprofen any more, aspirin is what works best for aches and pains. I still prefer Excedrin for any headache, including migraines. Of course, Excedrin is aspirin + acetaminophen + caffeine. Sometimes I take Excedrin for my regular pain, too. Plain acetaminophen doesn’t do a whole lot for me. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-as-a-pain-killer/816886/28 "2018-06-28T18:49:08Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > If you take Astin, you’ll be feeling much better now. > > 😃 I saw what you did there. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-as-a-pain-killer/816886/29 "2018-06-28T18:57:14Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I saw what you did there. So did I. For those who don’t get the reference:[SPOILER]It’s from the TV show _Night Court_, where John Astin played a recurring character who had “…but I’m feeling much better now” as a catchphrase: > **[But I'm feeling much better now](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8KdtJOCzOU%5B%2FSPOILER%5D)** ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2018, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-as-a-pain-killer/816886/30 "2018-06-28T19:28:06Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > The analgesic effect is **not** related to the anti-inflammatory effect. One gets analgesia from aspirin with a single dose. One does not get any significant anti-inflammatory effect from aspirin (or other NSAIDs) until one has been on fixed doses of it for at least a few weeks, if not longer. That makes sense thanks for the clarification 😊! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspirin-as-a-pain-killer/816886.md?page=1)