Aspirin

What is aspirin

Aspirin is in a class of drugs called salicylates. It works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation.

Aspirin is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever. Aspirin is also used under medical supervision to treat and/or prevent heart attacks, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs or "mini-strokes"), strokes, and angina in certain individuals.

Aspirin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

General medical information about aspirin

Take aspirin with milk, food, or an antacid to lessen stomach upset. Enteric-coated aspirin is specially formulated to be gentle on your stomach. Enteric-coated aspirin can be, but does not have to be, taken with milk or food. Enteric-coated aspirin should not be taken with an antacid.

Do not break, chew, or crush the enteric-coated tablets. These have a special coating to protect your stomach. Swallow them whole.

Avoid alcohol or use it in moderation while taking aspirin. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, the risk of stomach bleeding may increase.

Who should not take aspirin

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
- have an allergy to aspirin;
- have an allergy to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, others), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), and others;
- have an allergy to tartrazine;
- drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day;
- have an ulcer or bleeding in your stomach;
- have liver disease;
- have kidney disease;
- have a coagulation (bleeding) disorder (e.g., hemophilia);
- have congestive heart failure;
- have fluid retention;
- have heart disease;
- have high blood pressure;
- have gout;
- have asthma; or
- have nasal polyps.

You may not be able to take aspirin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

The FDA has not formally evaluated the effects of aspirin taken during pregnancy. However, it is known that aspirin taken during pregnancy may affect an unborn baby's heart, reduce birth weight, and have other dangerous effects on the unborn baby. Do not take aspirin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Aspirin passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take this medicine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not use aspirin to treat a child or teenager who has a fever, flu symptoms, or chicken pox without first talking to the child's doctor. In children younger than 18 years of age, aspirin may increase the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but often fatal condition.

How should take aspirin

Take aspirin exactly as directed by your doctor, or follow the instructions that accompany the package if you are using an over-the-counter medicine. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. This may reduce the risk of the medication becoming lodged in your esophagus or throat. Remaining upright for 15 to 30 minutes following a dose may further reduce this risk.

Do not crush, chew, or break any enteric-coated forms of aspirin. These have a special coating to protect your stomach. Swallow them whole.

Do not take aspirin more often than is prescribed by your doctor or recommended on the package. If your condition does not improve within 3 to 4 days, talk to your doctor.

Be aware of the aspirin content of other prescription or over-the-counter medications to avoid taking too much aspirin.

Do not take any aspirin that smells strongly of vinegar. This smell means that the aspirin has begun to break down.

Store aspirin at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose:

If you are taking aspirin regularly--for example, to treat arthritis--take the missed dose up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours have passed since the missed dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

If you are taking aspirin on an as-needed basis, missing a dose is not usually a problem. Take your aspirin as soon as you remember, and do not take another dose for the amount of time prescribed by your doctor or recommended on the package.

What happens if you overdose:

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an aspirin overdose include ringing in the ears, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, coma, seizures, rapid breathing, and fever.

Avoid while taking aspirin

Avoid taking other over-the-counter or prescription medications containing aspirin; salicylates (forms of aspirin) such as magnesium and/or choline salicylate (Magan, Doan's, Bayer Select Backache Pain Formula, Mobidin, Arthropan, Trilisate, Tricosal) and salsalate (Disalcid); and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, others), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), and others. Combined with aspirin, these medicines can be dangerous.

Avoid alcohol or use it with moderation while taking aspirin. If you drink more than three alcoholic beverages a day, aspirin may increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking aspirin, especially if you need to undergo a surgical procedure. Aspirin may prolong bleeding.

Possible side effects of aspirin

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking aspirin and seek medical attention or call your doctor immediately:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- black, bloody, or tarry stools;
- nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain;
- uncontrolled fever;
- blood in your urine or vomit;
- decreased hearing or ringing in the ears;
- seizures; or
- dizziness, confusion, or hallucinations.

If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, notify your doctor:
- heartburn or indigestion,
- faint ringing in the ears,
- drowsiness, or
- headache.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect aspirin

Do not take aspirin without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- an anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), ardeparin (Normiflo), or tinzaparin (Innohep);
- a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin); or
- another salicylate such as aspirin (Acuprin, Ecotrin, Ascriptin, Bayer, others); choline salicylate and/or magnesium salicylate (Magan, Doan's, Bayer Select Backache Pain Formula, Mobidin, Arthropan, Trilisate, Tricosal), or salsalate (Disalcid).

You may not be able to take aspirin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

If you have diabetes, moderate to large doses of aspirin may produce false urine glucose test results.

Many drugs, including those not listed here, can interact with aspirin, resulting in side effects and/or decreased effectiveness of the medications. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines or herbal products without first talking to your doctor during treatment with aspirin.