Acetaminophen related deaths are a few hundred a year in the US.
Opiate related deaths in the US have been around 50,000+/yr.
I don't personally know anyone who has died from acetaminophen usage or even particularly injured. I personally know several people who had their lives nearly destroyed by opiate abuse, and a few others who have died. And it's not like I'm hanging out with junkies all the time.
It is safe when taken as directed, therapeutically. Much safer than NSAIDs. Misuse and abuse is bad, whether it is opiates or anything else.
As someone put it:
> Under the caveats of a competent physician and a completely med-compliant patient, opiates are perfectly safe. Those are enormous caveats though, given the history and prevalence of incompetent physicians and noncompliant patients (at least in the US).
Have you considered that your perception may have been distorted by irresponsible people? Please put that perception aside when comparing the side-effects of opioids and NSAIDs.
Opiate related deaths in the US have been around 50,000+/yr.
I don't personally know anyone who has died from acetaminophen usage or even particularly injured. I personally know several people who had their lives nearly destroyed by opiate abuse, and a few others who have died. And it's not like I'm hanging out with junkies all the time.