Extra Strength Bayer Aspirin® is as effective in treating headaches as one of the most commonly prescribed pain medications, Tylenol® with Codeine #3, according to study results presented at 20th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society in Phoenix.

An analysis of 115 patients with tension headache pain compared the efficacy of two Extra Strength Bayer Aspirin (1,000 mg total) to the most commonly prescribed dose of Tylenol with Codeine #3 (300 mg acetaminophen/30 mg codeine) and placebo. Study results showed that both Extra Strength Bayer Aspirin and Tylenol with Codeine #3 were comparable for all efficacy evaluations.

"Aspirin is just as effective and is much less expensive than prescription alternatives," said a Bayer researcher. "One dose of Extra Strength Bayer Aspirin costs pennies for two pills versus about much more for one prescription Tylenol with Codeine tablet."

In this randomized, double-blind, single-dose study, male and female patients with a history of at least two but no more than 10 tension headaches per month were evaluated. Tension headache is a condition involving pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, temples or back of the neck; usually associated with muscle tightness in these areas; and can be worsened or triggered by stress, fatigue, noise or glare. Pain evaluations were conducted at 30 minutes and then every hour over six hour after dosing. Patients were asked to evaluate pain intensity (none, mild, moderate or severe) and pain relief (no relief, headache pain less than half gone, half gone, more than half gone or complete relief). Extra Strength Bayer Aspirin and Tylenol with Codeine #3 provided significant and statistically comparable pain relief from two through six hours after dosing.

There are many important reasons to differentiate aspirin from other pain relievers, especially acetaminophen, the active ingredient in products like Tylenol. Aspirin has been used effectively by millions of people for more than 100 years and does not have the same potential adverse effect on the liver as acetaminophen. The most important side effects of aspirin are gastrointestinal. As this study has shown, aspirin is equally effective in pain relief as Tylenol with Codeine #3, but it also is noted for its ability to fight inflammation, which acetaminophen cannot do. And, used regularly, aspirin has benefits beyond any other pain reliever in its ability to prevent recurrent heart attacks and strokes. Lastly, aspirin is much less expensive than prescription alternatives.

Regular use of aspirin is not appropriate for everyone. People should be sure to talk to their doctors before beginning an aspirin regimen. Medical studies have shown that a very small percentage of the population, less than 6 percent, cannot take aspirin due to stomach irritation. Patients who are predisposed to gastric problems or have a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding problems should not take aspirin unless directed by a physician. People who experience stomach discomfort should ask their doctors whether an enteric coated aspirin product might help that discomfort. In almost all cases, aspirin's benefits significantly outweigh its risks when taken as directed. Patients who have questions about which pain reliever to use should talk to their physicians.